From Saturday's Independent - a letter:
Your headline, "Save our Cyclists", made me choke on my egg soldiers. I would be willing to support this campaign if cyclists were insured against the many accidents they cause; they pay a road tax (which would involve registration of the bicycle), and they undertake a test procedure that certifies them as being fit to ride on the highways (and not, as now, the pavement).
If cyclists were willing to take responsibility for their day-to-day use of the road, then people may take a positive view of your campaign, but cyclists contribute nothing but delays and aggravation in already hazardous road conditions.
Phil Higginbotham
Chesterfield, Derbyshire
In today's Independent, my response:
Phil Higginbotham (letters, 16 April) might like to consider that many cyclists already pay tax that help maintain our roads, both through income tax and Vehicle Excise Duty. And he might also like to consider how many more delays there would be on our roads if all those travelling by bike decided to go by car instead. He might further like to consider how much money is saved on NHS expenditure through the reduction of obesity through cycling.
Lastly, I assume Mr Higginbotham would also favour an insurance scheme and national testing for pedestrians, as they too cause accidents on our roads.
Or perhaps he might like to accept that cyclists have a right to use roads responsibly without the constant worry of being killed by the drivers who are either carelessly or wilfully a danger to cyclists.
