Engender some sense, not rules

The continued assault against cyclists in our district continues with last week’s article about restricting cyclists through Canterbury’s high street during peak hours (Crackdown To Stop City Centre Cyclists, Kentish Gazette, August 4).

It would seem that Debbie Barwick is on a continued campaign to stop everything which she disagrees with.

Many cyclists within Canterbury, with whom I class myself as one (occasionally), cycle responsibly and without malice.

I do, on occasion, cycle through the high street myself but, like others I have witnessed, I do slow down and avoid people, trying to be a responsible rider.

If we are to limit the movement of all cyclists due to the actions of a few individuals then why don’t we cast our net further afield and look to people walking down the high street and on pathways, such as couples or large groups, who often tend not to give way unless made to do so.

Or what about people with large rucksacks who pay little to no attention to who it may hit when they turn abruptly, as my late grandmother found out when she was knocked down by such a person and had to go to hospital because of it.

Are we not better finding ways to educate people how to act responsibly once again and with a sense of community about them, always considering how their actions may affect others around them?

That is surely a better direction for us to take than for the vocal minority and bodies such as Kent County Council seeking to further restrict people’s rights. Allen Tullett Cross Street, Canterbury

If we wanted to join in with the pedestrians, particularly attractive young ladies, then we had to get off our bikes and walk with them.

Many cyclists nowadays seem to disregard the traffic rules; so much so that when I saw a cyclist whizz pass a lollipop lady, who had stopped the traffic to allow children to cross, I went out and bought a new Highway Code, thinking the rules must have changed for cyclists since my long ago cycling days.

But no when I checked, the rules for cyclists seem exactly the same as I remember them, thought I always thought having an bell was mandatory and we had no bus lanes we could use then.

There were no rules about using mobile phones or texting while riding, but no doubt these will be added later.

I would have thought the situation was simple. If you cycle on the roads you obey the road traffic rules and if you mix with pedestrians, attractive or not, you get off and walk!

Incidentally the incident with the lollipop lady was in London; I’m sure no cyclist in Canterbury would dream of doing such a thing! Mike Armstrong Queens Avenue, Canterbury city, it is our duty not to destroy all the beauty of Canterbury for the future generations. Janine Capeling Roper Road, Canterbury

The blue ‘Cyclists dismount’ advisory sign in St Peter’s Street is be replaced with white and red signs which can be legally enforced. Right campaigner Debbie Barwick