Muhammad Ali was a legendary figure of our time

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(Evening Standard/Getty)

If you lived in the time of Muhammad Ali, you were a child of the Greatest.

You learned what positivity meant through him.

No one conquered his fears better than Cassius Clay. From a boy who’s bicycle was stolen to a youth who sort boxing as a means of self-defence, to a man who was the greatest heavyweight champion of all time.

Who needs guns?

Ali/Clay was the greatest showman in boxing history, the bravest heavyweight, the bravest individual in his fight with Parkinson’s, a man given to causes and charities and that irreplaceable smile.

You gave us great times champ. You are the Greatest! We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. RIP.

Arthur Pagonis
Morley, Australia

The passing of Muhammad Ali Clay is a tragedy. He was a legendary, invigorating, mythical and inspirational figure whose spirit transcended time and space. He was a voice of hope for millions, a man with a noble purpose and great goodwill, a marching figure for respect, hope, democracy, equality, human dignity and reconciliation in turbulent times.

His ardent struggle against one of the most and worst debilitating diseases of our times – Parkinson's – conjures up a world of gallantry and survival against oddities. Our solace is that his ideas will remain immortal and indestructible now and in the future as they were then during times of adversity.

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob
London, NW2

Cycle lanes are not always the safest option

I am pleased to note that Duncan Anderson is not opposed to motorists being required to leave a safe distance when passing cyclists (letters, 4th June).

However he does perpetuate a common myth about road tax. Let's be clear: there is no such thing and hasn't been for nearly a century. Motorists do not pay taxes to build and maintain the road network. Roads are paid for out of general taxation, which is contributed by all of us. Vehicle Excise Duty is paid by motorists based upon the amount of pollution produced by their vehicles. Cyclists, in common with other road users that produce zero emissions, pay VED of zero.

Cycle paths are sometimes neither safe nor convenient and an experienced cyclist will exercise their judgment in deciding whether a path is appropriate to use.

A cyclist is not a second class citizen and their right to use the road is not inferior to anyone else's. In fact, cyclists were here first and graciously share their roads with the Johnny-come-latelies in their cars.

It's not strictly relevant but you'll find that most mamils (if not most adult cyclists) own a car. In fact, in the case of the cyclists he particularly referenced, it is likely to be an expensive, powerful one so cyclists probably pay as much so-called “Road Tax” as most other road users.

Darren Zak Scott
Address Supplied

With reference to Duncan Anderson's comments on cycle lanes, the main reasons that we don't use cycle lanes and tracks are: they are usually not swept, leading to punctures, and motor vehicles park in them, creating the worst hazard of the lot – namely moving into and out of traffic.

Doug Flack, Pensioner In Lycra On Cycle (PILOC)
Derby

The EU debate is being simplified

David Cameron and Michael Gove's Q&A sessions demonstrated how the EU debate has too often been simplified to the lowest common denominator. The audience's questioners generally showed little if any willingness to listen to answers given, but rather dismissed those they disagreed with out of hand.

At times the occasion turned into a kind of verbal session in the stocks for the politicians. Sadly, it seems the referendum process brings out the worst in all concerned.

Just now the anti-immigrant mood has become so ardent amongst some, that politicians on the Remain side appear loathe to stress the huge amount of good that the vast majority of immigrants have done for the UK over the course of generations, not least in many of our critical public services, as well as a range of industries in which their contributions have been vital.

On the Leave side it is undoubtedly the case that exiting the EU will have an initially high negative cost on our economy. If they could admit that but justify such short term pain was worth it in their view to retain more of our sovereignty, they would at least have a more honest starting point to try to argue about our longer term prospects.

Keith Howell
West Linton

Farage's claim that Michael Gove and the rest of the Leave campaign have been converted to his divisive immigration narrative should have them all squirming in their seats.

Blaming immigrants for the state of the nation has always been the hallmark and last resort of every marginal organisation unable to substantiate its arguments and has always been underpinned by a streak of racism.

Farage and his UKIP party have given voice to every misogynist, bigot and racist and by preaching to his converted disciples and belittling his opponents as “uneducated and ignorant” he continues to foment a divisive atmosphere centred around “them and us”.

If this culture of blame that Farage espouses in a post-exit Britain were to succeed in the vote on the 23rd we would be surely doomed and would deserve to be.

As for Michael Gove, his show on Sky News of “It will be Alright on the Night” betrayed the paucity of arguments to leave the EU and with any luck will have converted any doubters to vote to remain.

Peter Coghlan
Broadstone

Toilet recommendations

For the attention of Janet Street-Porter: you must visit the public toilets in Llanfrynych, Powys. They are cared for by the village and are quirky, immaculate and accommodating. I wish I had taken a photograph of the outside at least to share with you.

Before, or after, do the challenging but rewarding circular walk to Pen y Fan. You could visit the toilets twice in fact...

Perfect.

Maureen Jones
Address supplied