‘It might help if cyclists were not so encouraged to see themselves as immensely virtuous and entitled’ 

• AMID all the sound and fury about LTN, low traffic neighbourhoods, and motor cars, I was delighted to see, in your October 20 issue, the letter from Henry Shepherd about lawless cyclists, (Curb the lawless cyclists).

Bicycles and powered scooters are by far the most dangerous vehicles on Islington’s streets and, all too often, pavements.

I share Mr Shepherd’s sense that the council and others have an unthinking view that these vehicles are an unmitigated good and need to be even more numerous.

Within the last 10 days I have twice nearly been knocked down by an irresponsible cyclist.

On the first occasion I was about to step out of a shop when a cyclist came tearing along the pavement and would have hit me if I had been half a step further forward.

On the second I was waiting at a light- controlled pedestrian crossing. I was about to move forward when the green man showed, when a cyclist, ignoring the red traffic light, flashed across the crossing.

Several weeks earlier I had another near-miss when a speeding cyclist cut past me so closely that he broke my walking stick.

I accept that most cyclists are responsible and considerate, but the dangerous and irresponsible minority are a serious problem for those of us who like to walk around the borough.

It might help if cyclists were not so encouraged to see themselves as immensely virtuous and entitled.

In public statements and policies, there should be much more emphasis on the importance of cyclists recognising that unless they behave responsibly they are a danger to their fellow citizens and that cycling on pavements and ignoring traffic lights and rules is seriously anti-social.

Perhaps, as Mr Shepherd suggested, Cycling Islington could support and contribute to such a campaign.

CHARLES CANN, N1