ALAN LANGMAID, of Hilldown, Totnes, writes.

I would like to congratulate and thank Jane Brady, Gina Small and all of those involved in the Totnes on the Move Road Show exhibited at the Methodist Church recently.

When I first got involved in Totnes on the Move, through the Totnes Traffic and Transport Forum, we were told the objective was to provide the maximum amount of transport for the minimum amount of traffic. Every conceivable option would be explored. There was no silver bullet.

Reading the event report in the paper, I warmed to the leading theme of electric bikes pioneered by former TTTF chairman Julian Wright and marvelled that 100 years ago innovators were strapping crude engines to bicycles to assist potential cyclists not quite up to the effort or handicapped by hills. Brilliant. Julian just reinvented the motorcycle, much improved with an electric motor.

I was a little disappointed to see no mention of conventional motorcycles in the article which listed every conceivable traffic reduction method imaginable and despite the large Motorcycle Action Group stand near the door demonstrating the need to keep pressing the message 'Think Bike'.

It appears that all the ambitions to reduce traffic congestion on all the major routes around Totnes could be achieved in one move, according to an EU study.

If just 10 per cent of cars were replaced by motorbikes, congestion would fall by 40 per cent. If this figure was 25 per cent replacement, congestion would be solved.

This study related to London and I doubt that even Totnes can compete with the congestion there. It is doubtful that 10 per cent of car users would be so impressed with this and leap onto bikes. However, my point is that if just a few per cent can be persuaded to convert from car to bike – any bike – it would make a disproportionate impact. Compared with car use, motorcycle use is the least bad option.

It seems there is a silver bullet. Whether it's Julian's e-bikes, pushbikes, motorbikes, scooters or mopeds, two wheels trumps four when it comes to congestion-busting mobility and economy. Better still, as Julian's e-bikes demonstrated, it's fun.

Think bike.