Letters: Number plates would stop rogue cyclists in their tracks

A petition has been launched with the aim of holding drivers in Scotland responsible for accidents involving cyclists if they fail to prove “unequivocally” that they were not to blame. (News, April 15).

Legal service Cycle Law Scotland (CLS) aims to have a Member’s Bill put before the Scottish Parliament.

It is unacceptable to presume the motorist guilty and the cyclist innocent.

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Action must be taken against those rogue cyclists who break the law and/or the Highway Code.

Examples include cyclists crashing the red light, going the wrong way up a one-way street, not stopping at pedestrian crossings, cycling three abreast and cycling on the pavement.

The police turn a blind eye.

I experienced a cyclist coming from a steep side road onto a main road and he did not stop and in doing so careered into the middle of the main road.

I took avoiding action, which saved his life, but cost me two new tyres.

All bicycles should have a number plate.

I am sure that the majority of responsible cyclists would 
welcome this since rogue cyclists give them all a bad name.

Clark Cross, Springfield Road, Linlithgow

Nothing to gain from celebrations

Without taking either personal or political sides regarding “celebrations” inspired by the death of a former prime minister, I wonder what exactly made some of the celebrants so jubilant.

It was as a politician that Mrs Thatcher affected us – whether positively or negatively – so the appropriate time to celebrate her demise would have been when she lost that political power over us.

Celebration is normally associated with events which bring personal happiness or satisfaction, such as financial
or professional success, or reaching some milestone in life. Reduced to essentials, the Thatcher scenario is that some people are happy that someone else, who long ago ceased to have any influence on them, has died.

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I find it impossible to understand how her death can have any beneficial effect on anyone else, and I doubt whether anyone celebrating it is more satisfied than on the previous day. What have they gained?

Robert Dow, Ormiston Road, Tranent

Rail travel still needs opened up

It is good news that the already overflowing car park at Bathgate is to be enlarged (News, April 16). However, there are still far too many stations which have as yet, not been built or reopened.

Dysart, Windygate, and Methil/Leven in Fife together with Bannockburn, Cambus and Plean/Cowie must be speedily reopened if society wishes more commuters to switch to rail.

With electrification, longer trains and additional stops can be accommodated without incurring additional journey times.

Quicker overall journeys could be achieved if more station exits existed.

Why is there no access to the revamped Haymarket from Dalry Road?

Colin C Maclean, Hillpark Avenue, Edinburgh

Long-term future lies with voters

For the independence referendum to be a success, there must be at least a 90 per cent turnout. Then, and only then, if two-thirds of the population of Scotland, over the age of 16, vote “Yes”, should we have independence.

But we shouldn’t have independence if only 55 per cent of the people turn out to vote and of them only 60 per cent vote “Yes”. This would mean only one person in every three would be in favour of 
independence.

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The long-term future of this country will depend purely on the number of people in favour.

James Mitchell, Craigs Road, Edinburgh

Zoo volunteer is so kind-hearted

PRAISE should be given to Derrick Findlay, who has offered to rebuild the Five Sisters Zoo in West Lothian (News, April 16).

Derrick has assembled a team of builders, plumbers, electricians and so on to reconstruct the reptile house at Five Sisters. What a lovely, kind-hearted man he is. And bless the compassionate supporters who have donated cash to the stricken zoo.

June Fleming, Hercus Loan, Musselburgh