Sir, – I see your horse racing correspondent, Brian O’Connor, has turned his attention to cycling (Tipping Point, Sport, June 27th).
Although I am a cyclist, this is not another “why bicycles are the greatest thing on Earth” letter. Instead I want to consider Mr O’Connor’s comment that bikes are outdated and inefficient. Naturally, as the horse racing correspondent, to illustrate his point, Mr O’Connor gives the example that a bike can’t move as fast as a horse.
The efficiency of the horse could perhaps be used to replicate some recent transport successes. Could there be an opportunity for O’Connor’s “Canter to Work” scheme? Employers could get tax breaks for providing stables and grooming services at work.
Perhaps JCDecaux would be interested in expanding the hugely successful Dublin Bikes scheme. Dublin Asses has a ring to it.
Hopefully, if Mr O’Connor’s vision comes to pass, in the next census I’ll be ticking the “Horse” option under “How do you commute?” Efficient indeed. – Yours, etc,