I was hit by a cyclist riding on the pavement in Worthing some five or six years ago. I was 62 at the time. The cyclist was in his 30s, a huge man on a huge cycle. I was left with my left arm and my ribs swollen and bleeding, and the shock of the huge impact caused me to wet myself in public.

I was only walking across the pavement to get something out of my car.

When I rang the police they asked if I had “taken his details”. I told them that even if I had been able to frog-march a large man into my house to write down his details, I would have no proof that what he told me was true.

I have since written to the police, my MP, local papers and other organisations all to no avail. Nobody is interested in regulating cyclists riding on the pavements of Worthing and it is out of control.

When I say to cyclists riding by that they should not be riding on the pavement, they just swear or say the roads are too dangerous for them to cycle on. Then they swear at me again and ride on.

There is a public notice outside my house warning people of a fine for letting their dogs mess, and another that says people cannot drink on the street. As far as I am aware neither of these activities can actually kill people, whereas several people have been killed by cyclists riding on the pavements in different parts of the country since I had my accident.

In my view, cyclists must be taught the highway code, tested, taxed and insured so people injured may be compensated.

They should be made to carry identifying plates. Then perhaps they will be deterred from this highly dangerous practice.

Barbara Cole, Cowper Road, Worthing

In response to your article about cycling on the seafront, it is equally as bad down London Road and St James’s Street.

It’s all very well encouraging cycling but they need to comply with the law and consider public safety. The council and police have a duty to keep the public safe, and the Green Party does not care as it does not fit with their ideal.

Anthony Price, Freshfield Road, Brighton