The way i see it

and you have no rear right light’. That was all. I cycled off.

I have been thinking of my action ever since. A young woman was driving the car. Had it been a man who was at the wheel would I have done what I did, especially after the experience I mention above?

The previous weekend a cousin of mine over from London for the Ireland England rugby game mentioned this very point to me. He cycles in London, never enters into any sort of discussion with male drivers but can be confrontational when women drivers break the rules of the road.

I was polite and did not raise my voice when I spoke to the woman driver. Nevertheless, I was acting as a bully as most likely I would not have said it to a man.

It set me thinking about my behaviour.

At this stage of my cycling career I am beginning to think that it has got so dangerous on our roads is it time for the State to insist that cyclists are required to pass a road test and obtain a cycling licence? And should cyclists be required to have a bicycle insurance?