Stopping dangerous cyclists in their tracks

SIR – Following the recent conviction of a cyclist for “furious” riding under a 19th-century law, I understand that the Government is now looking into applying driving offences to cyclists (report, September 22).

I feel this may become very necessary, not only for cyclists on the road but also on footpaths in Wales, where, if Welsh government proposals are to succeed, cyclists will have the right to use the whole of the footpath network.

Mountain-bikers will then be able to test their downhill riding skills on narrow, winding hill paths, with walkers forced to seek refuge off the path if alerted to the danger in time. Cycling downhill at a sedate pace, and dismounting to give way to walkers as they should, wouldn’t be any fun at all; but perhaps the possibility of being convicted of a driving offence may give such people pause for thought.

Cardiff

SIR – It is all very well for Frank Yates (Letters, September 22) to propose a ban on pedestrians wearing earphones, but in many cases where a pedestrian has been knocked down the only ambient sound to be heard beforehand was the roar of rush-hour traffic on the carriageway.

I never use earphones but have many times been walking along a relatively narrow pavement and known nothing of an overtaking cyclist until he has appeared alongside me. On these occasions, had I veered slightly to my left, I would have received some bruising – but the cyclist would probably have been pitched into the oncoming traffic.

Pedestrians often stop for reasons other than to check their phones. I was taught when learning to drive that my speed should be such that I could avoid hitting the vehicle in front should it stop suddenly. Perhaps cyclists should heed that advice when approaching pedestrians from behind. Douglas M H Crook

Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire

SIR – Deaths from collisions with cyclists are nothing new.

Ninety-five years ago this month, my great-uncle was run down and killed by a cyclist on a steep, narrow Devon lane. My father remembered him being carried back to the house on a farm gate.

Dartmouth, Devon