Cyclist Justine: Menace or misunderstood?

I assume the police will take action against Justine miliband for breaking so many cycling laws (mail). There’s adequate photographic evidence to secure a conviction, and she would find it difficult to deny the offences. Too many cyclists seem to be a law unto themselves, cycling on pavements, jumping red lights, cycling the wrong way down one-way streets and generally ignoring traffic signs. action is rarely, if ever, taken against them. True, it’s difficult to catch cyclists, but when there is definite proof of offences being committed, one would hope the police leap into action. But don’t hold your breath …

BOB HISCOKE, Bournemouth, Dorset. CRITICS of Justine Miliband (Mail) misunderstand her and all cyclists who must use roads. We fear cyclist-blind motorists and potholes, and roads dangerous to cycle on within one metre of the kerb. These last oblige us to swerve out and get clipped by a wing mirror, or go over the handlebars and end up in hospital. We fear not being seen on a roundabout, no matter how correctly we place ourselves. A driver hit my rear wheel on a roundabout while I was rightly placed on it. Luckily he was seen. In our eagerness to avoid cars’ way, we go through pedestrian red lights if there are no pedestrians and exploit those seconds of red light to get out of cars’ way rather than wait, move off with them and risk being hit. I dread the approach of those central reservations that narrow the road to a single lane. I know the driver will try to get through alongside me. The footpath is a last resort for us, but most pedestrians don’t mind if they hear your warning bell. Don’t blame cyclists for not paying road tax. They put no wear on the road — and probably pay road tax on their car at home in the garage.

JIM PEARSON, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear.