Hodge: Cyclists believe they are ‘centre of the universe’

CYCLISTS think they are the centre of the universe, actress Patricia Hodge said, as she described the moment one nearly collided with her as she stepped onto a road.

The 77-year-old said she feels she has the “right to say something” to people who “ride their bikes at speed” but all that happens in response is that she gets “invariably screamed at”.

The Miranda actress also questioned why police are rarely seen “pulling a cyclist over” when they have jumped traffic lights or cycle with no lights on.

Hodge told Candis magazine: “I can’t tell you how many continue to ride their bikes at speed, with mothers having to swiftly move their buggies out of the way. These people see themselves as the centre of the universe and I think that’s very bad for society.

“I feel I have the right to say something. But when I do, I’m invariably screamed at.

“I always make sure, though, to point out that the only reason they’re angry is because they know I’m right.

“And have you ever seen a policeman pulling a cyclist over because they don’t have any lights or because they’ve jumped the traffic lights?.”

Hodge, who lives near Hammersmith Bridge, west London, described one incident with an “unforgivably rude but also dangerous” cyclist.

She said: “I was crossing Portland Place in London recently, waiting on the central reservation for the lights to turn green.

“As I stepped off, a cyclist, a man in his 30s, went through the red lights and almost collided with me.

“But instead of apologising, he flicked me a rude sign.

“I just pointed at the green light for pedestrians and he called me the worst word in the English language.”

The actress added: “And when you get older, I think you have an obligation to speak out when things aren’t right.

“I won’t let anything go anymore. It worries me that manners are going out the window.”

‘Have you ever seen a policeman pulling a cyclist over because they have jumped the traffic lights?’