FROM his previous letters published in The Argus Mr Fowler-Tutt is obviously a cycling fanatic and like all fanatics he sees things from only his point of view and like all fanatics rejects different opinions.

I would argue that, but only when on their bikes, cyclists become extremely selfish and they think they can break every law in the Highway Code, for it does not apply to them or their actions. Wrong.

As mentioned in a previous letter, they think they are immune from the law because they can commit any offence they like and ride off with impunity, usually giving the “two-fingered “ salute.

They have no regard for others, just look how they ride on the pavements forcing many, mainly the elderly, to run for cover.

That is why they should be treated the same as every other road user, especially now they are receiving such largesse from the Government. They must be made, even forced by law, to be traceable, and the only is by having a recognition plate fitted to the cycle, similar to motorcycles and scooters, attached to the back or the saddle or even to the crossbar as Tour de France cycles have.

Some final comments... the fastest selling cycle is the electric powered cycle and how is that power generated? By an electric motor so some bikes do have motors. Surprise, surprise.

Cycles can be dangerous weapons, especially if they hit a person or an object at speed ( Chris Froome’s accident for example). Supposing it was a pedestrian he hit, not a wall, what would the injuries be to the pedestrian? His were bad enough. That is why cyclist should licensed, insured and have passed a proficiency test the same as motorcyclists and scooter riders for at times they travel as fast as motorised vehicles, as was Froome before he hit the wall.

Cycles are made up of many moving parts any of which can fail at any time.

So road worthiness is extremely important, that is why external checking is essential.

Halfords even offers a 32-point safety check.

A simple example of part failure, supposing a chain breaks or it comes off its sprocket, the rider could veer sideways into and under oncoming traffic with deadly results. One final statistic. There were, according to the gov.uk website, 38.7 million motor vehicles registered in the UK in 2019 against, I would estimate, five million cycles. A case of “the tail trying to wag the dog”.

John Armstrong

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