Should police punish pavement cyclists?

I’M PLEASED to see reports showing the danger to pedestrians posed by cyclists on the pavement (Mail). Recent incidents, one in Blackpool the other in Cornwall, involved injury to children. And a month ago a woman was seriously injured in South-East London’s Bermondsey. Cyclists are the least disciplined and most selfish of all road users, loathed by motorists and pedestrians, and impervious to criticism. As a criminal offence, pavement cycling is a police matter, but they turn a blind eye instead of cautioning, fining or prosecuting offenders. We need a national campaign against pavement cycling to encourage pedestrians to challenge those who do it and demand that the police take action against persistent offenders. Start by putting ‘No Cycling’ stickers on lamp-posts on pavements.

TONY PURTON, London W13. SECTion 72 of the Highways Act states that a ‘carriage of any description’ is banned from the pavement. So, are parents aware that it’s a criminal offence to use pushchairs on the pavement?

M. E. TREW, Trowbridge, Wilts. MY LOCAL council encourages cycling on pavements. Signs direct cyclists there and an icon of a bike is painted on the footpath. I’m 72 and always dismount on approaching pedestrians. However, a lady hit me with her bag, even though I was pushing my cycle. Is the council breaking the law?

JOHN PEERS, Menai Bridge, Anglesey. i HAVE been knocked over twice on the pavement when leaving my drive. This was by grown men on bicycles. Despite reporting this to the police and asking them to take action, they remain uninterested. Does someone have to be killed or seriously disabled before the police finally start acting responsibly on the existing law? Much is said in defence of cyclists — but when will the pedestrians be looked after?

JULIE KNOX, Durham.