Dr Roger Hughes described aims to increase cycling as a transport mode in Scotland to levels in Holland as quixotic (Letters, February 27).

His argument was that Holland is flatter and dryer than Scotland. Bicycles are built with lighter frames and an abundance of gears as compared, perhaps, to the bikes that Dr Hughes recalls hiring on holiday. Although if he had no gears on his bike in Yosemite, I take my hat off to him. I checked some rainfall stats. Amsterdam has 33 inches of annual rainfall compared with Edinburgh's 26.

The Scottish Government has the dual objectives of increasing cycling and walking and increasing usage of public transport. Dr Hughes supports the latter but not the former. Well-planned multi-modal hubs, linking different forms of transport, can help create near seamless journeys to work. Including cycling and walking early in the planning is an essential component of this.

Even in Glasgow, the weather is seldom a barrier to cycling to work. I can get to work in the city centre more quickly by bike than by any other form of transport, and can do a fair bit of the route on traffic-free paths if I so wish. Another statistic I checked from the continent: 33% of journeys to work in Copenhagen are by bike. This is impressive, but not so impressive as their stated target to increase cycle journeys to 40%.

Bill Wright, Chairman, Cycling Scotland, 24 Blythswood Square, Glasgow.

Perhaps Dr Roger Hughes could benefit from doses of reality from doctors in Holland on the excellent health statistics of the cycling masses in that country. If he had in his cycling past experienced the many downpours and flash floods Holland's cyclists pedal through, he would be aware that we are no worse off in the weather department. Would attendance at Dr Hughes's hospital not be less if more people were strengthening their immune systems by cycling every day as opposed to experiencing the artificial climates of cars and public transport?

Glasgow's depressing pollution and health statistics clearly make Dr Guthrie's cycling prescription a need, not a fantasy.

Sadly, he is wrong in his claim that politicians are avoiding investment in roads - or is the £6m M74 and the East End Regeneration Route not a nightmare but a fantasy?

That Paris and London are both attempting to become more health-friendly for all, with investment in more cycle-friendly infrastructures, only adds to Glasgow's reputation as one of the worst cities to cycle in.

Glasgow is not as flat as Holland, but cycling in this city is as energy-sapping as climbing hospital stairs, as the good Dr Hughes recommends. Just make sure you take off your waterproofs, as it can get very warm indoors.

Danny Alderslowe, Green Councillor, Southside Central, Glasgow.

John Riddell bemoans the lack of berthing opportunities for waterborne craft when entering Glasgow from the Clyde. It's not just sailors who are excluded from the river - he should try walking or cycling along its banks. Glasgow has the unenviable distinction of having one of the most neglected waterfronts of any city in Europe. We should be using both sides of the river as lateral parks with integrated cycling and walking paths free from motor vehicles. But this is Glasgow, where politicians have created areas along the river that are privately owned with no opportunity for access, and flat developments that resulted in the destruction of a wonderful raised cycle path on an old railway embankment in the Whiteinch and Partick areas.

Glaswegians of all ages - and I fancy a disproportionate number of those would be over sixty, Dr Hughes - would get on their bikes and would walk more if better facilities were provided.

Such regular activity built into a daily commute or exercise regime is what our bodies and minds demand and need. It would help treat and prevent depression and obesity.

Colin Guthrie, The Surgery, 1448 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow.