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Cyclists who ride on roads and
pavements want it all
• AS a cyclist, and a non-cyclist, I am fed up with cyclists complaining about cars and pedestrians, when they are clearly invading footpaths and the middle of the road (not all I may add).
It is the selfish riders who have the cheek to do the moaning. The pavements are for foot power, and the roads for wheel power. But the cyclists want it all.
When ignorant road users, both pedal and motor, realise this we can all breathe again and enjoy the journeys we make. They all break the law, but it is there for a reason.
Janet Wooden
Highbury Quadrant, N5
• MURRAY Abisch’s somewhat vitriolic letter states how sick he is of the constant criticism of cyclists (Beware of zombies, November 6).
Well, my suggestion is this: first, spend 15 minutes at the junction of Judd Street and Tavistock Place, in Bloomsbury, and watch. Second, note how many cyclists jump the traffic lights. You will be unpleasantly surprised.
I loved cycling once, but don’t do it now, for reasons I will not explain but it’s nothing to do with how dangerous cycling is – that’s always been so.
I agree with Mr Abisch about madcap pedestrians who insist on dicing with death.
However, I have been knocked into by cyclists on pavements, those riding over the red lights when it was supposed to be safe for me to cross and, indeed, one charmer cycled diagonally across me on both pavements all to save having to go round a corner.
With the best will and equipment in the world, many cyclists cannot be seen by high-sided vehicles.
Cyclists have often been trapped on the inside and crushed against kerbs.
I am more than saddened at any death on our roads, but remember this: you are not always visible. To cycle on pavements is illegal. And cycling over red lights while having your iPod plugged in just won’t do. Be safe, not sorry.
Eileen Fry
Tavistock Place, WC1
• YOUR correspondent complains about pedestrians in his way. He may be surprised to know that, except where specifically prohibited, pedestrians always have right of way, and all road users, including cyclists, have a duty of care towards them.
Anyone travelling faster than his or her fellow humans is tempted to feel an automatic sense of entitlement: thus fast walkers tut-tut at slower walkers in front of them, joggers feel no compunction in barging through pedestrians, cyclists jump lights and cut corners by riding across pavements, which in turn irritates drivers (of whom I am one) as well as pedestrians (of whom I am also one).
At least motorists have to take some form of test and, by law, must be insured, carry licence plates, display lights in the hours of darkness and obey traffic regulations. Cyclists do better to face up to responsibilities as road users (as many do) rather than bleat about minor interruptions to their self-conferred right of progress.
Chris Fagg
Third Millennium
Information, EC1
• I WAS pleased to read that the council is making the junction of Goswell Road and Old Street safer following the tragic death of cyclist Rebecca Goossen.
Sadly, there are other junctions around the borough that desperately need making safer too – and most of them are not the council’s responsibility. Near where I live, the junction of Fieldway Crescent and Holloway Road was also the scene of a tragic death when community activist Lisa Pontecorvo was killed a year ago. Holloway Road is the Mayor of London’s responsibility.
I know that Liberal Democrat councillors have been fighting on our behalf to get this junction improved and have taken it up many times with the Mayor. But all we get are excuses, delays and promises of more surveys of the site. This isn’t good enough. Lots of Highbury and other Islington cyclists use this junction as their way into the City and it’s on the main London Cycle Network. How long do we have to wait for the Mayor to take action at this killer junction?
Julie Horten
Highbury Hill, N5 |
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