Cyclists have been getting a fair amount of bad press lately.

Simply thanks to some inconsiderate bike users, anyone hopping on a bike, rather than behind a steering wheel, seems to be deemed an irresponsible and inconsiderate yob until proven otherwise.

You just can't win, though.

Recently, while riding to work up Davigdor Road, I happened have stopped at a pedestrian crossing with a red light, when the motorist behind me revved his engine, swerved past me and almost ran over the girl who was crossing the road.

Then, just the other side of Seven Dials, I was riding down towards Brighton Station, to the left of the rushour queue.

Suddenly, a car passenger opened his door right in front of me. He shouted down my yell of surprise and chastised me for not riding in the middle of the road.

However, some months ago, I got punched by a motorist on Western Road for doing

just that, while overtaking a bus parked at the side of the road.

Irresponsible? Unpredictable?

I don't think it's the mode of transport which is at issue here, but rather the sort of person using it.

Enough of this name-calling and finger-pointing. Life is too short and the world is full enough already of hatred and intolerance - I'm sure we can, at least, all agree on that.

-Eloise Lindenberg, Hove