Letter: Driven to distraction by cyclists

TRANSPORT minister Keith Brown deserves some credit for looking at ways of improving the safety of cyclists on the nation’s roads.

Any fatality is one too many and clearly something should be done to educate ignorant and abusive drivers of cars, buses, lorries and, I’m afraid to say in particular, taxis, who continually fail to spot their two-wheeled road companions.

Because of those dangers I have long since given up pedalling along Edinburgh’s crumbling highways and byways.

Since taking to the pavement as a humble pedestrian, however, I have felt far more at risk of injury.

I am afraid to say that far, far too many cyclists (a sufficient number to prevent me using the term “minority of”) feel it is their God-given right to take to the pavement whenever their progress on the road is hindered by lights, buses and queuing traffic.

Upon such an (all too frequent) encounter, I have attempted to highlight Rule 64 of the current edition of the Highway Code, namely “You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement”, pointing out that said offence can also carry a hefty fine (perhaps someone can enlighten me as to how many prosecutions have actually taken place).

The responses have varied from hand gestures to a torrent of expletives. Yes, cyclists are a charming lot.

The roads may be dangerous at times, but if you choose to ride around town on two wheels in the name of fitness/poverty/environmental awareness/whatever you should take your chances with everyone else.

Leave the sidewalks to the sane please.

Ronald SCOTT

Gilmerton Road

Edinburgh