Robbie Williams: a great entertainer

A reader is all praise for Robbie Williams who performed at the du Arena on Saturday. Other topics: cycling, Etihad

A reader is all praise for Robbie Williams, who performed at the du Arena on Saturday. Christopher Pike / The National

I think the Robbie Williams concert was absolutely brilliant (A pastiche of pop, April 27). Robbie has a fantastic voice, which he proved again and again by producing hit after hit. Every single person around me (male and female, young and old) was tapping their feet and singing.

Yes he’s a cheeky chap, but that’s what people love about him. Plus, it was very endearing when he spoke about his two young children – clearly a very proud father. Well done Williams: thank you for keeping my husband and me thoroughly entertained, from start to finish.

Jules Laurenhart, Abu Dhabi

Dubai’s cycling ban sends a mixed message

The decision to ban cyclists from riding on major roads is sending a mixed message: we want you to be healthy and ride bikes, but we don't want to make it possible for you to do that (Bicycles banned from major roads, April 27).

If we truly want people cycling to work and for their health around their neighbourhood then we need to give them opportunities, not restrict them. Build more cycle tracks next to 60 kph roads and delineate cycle lanes on other major roads to protect cyclists.

Introduce legislation that forces city planners to incorporate cycle paths in every development moving forward and start planning to upgrade existing roads. Then you need education of motorists to make it safe.

Keeping drivers off bicycle paths is a start, but a more useful law would be one that penalises them heavily for not yielding or giving safe distance to a cyclist on any road up to 60 kph (how about taking away their car and giving them a bicycle?).

If we are going to penalise cyclists for using the safety of the pavement, then let’s also penalise pedestrians for walking on cycling paths.

D Glass, Abu Dhabi

Even the cycle track on the Corniche is not safe, as it is used by runners and walkers. I had a collision a few weeks ago with a pedestrian.

We need more awareness campaigns and stricter rules, whereby rule breakers will be penalised.

Vishakh Abraham, Abu Dhabi

Etihad must judge partners

I was relieved to read that American Airlines is finally retiring its Boeing 757s (American holds off on delivery of five 787s, April 26). I was unfortunate enough to fly on one of these ancient aircraft last summer from Paris to New York. It developed mechanical problems and turned round to go to London Heathrow. The reason we went to Heathrow and not Paris, our departure airport, was because the airline thought that their partner airline, British Airways, would have spare parts for a 757. Imagine their embarrassment when they found that British Airways stopped using 757s five years ago. So, we were stuck in Heathrow for 24 hours. This was another example of the decrepit state of most US airlines.

However, the reason I was travelling on American was because I had bought a multi-city ticket through Etihad, and American is one of their partner airlines. I think this should stand as a warning to Etihad. As it grows and expands, making agreements with other airlines, it needs to be very careful about the quality of the airlines it partners with.

Gareth Jones, Abu Dhabi

I agree with the views expressed in the letter (Our airline needs an Emirati face, April 13). Why would Nicole Kidman represent the UAE's national airline? She is a fine actress, but has no connection with this country. My question is this: instead of paying her a fee, why could Etihad not have chosen an air hostess to be the front-line person? First, this would have been a much cheaper option. Second, we in Abu Dhabi would have seen Etihad acknowledging its professional and hardworking team.

Carole Miller, Abu Dhabi