Dave Jones's reference to people who hate cyclists (Letters, June 3) reminds me that, contrary to the impression one might get from The Argus letters pages in recent times, such a phenomenon is not, sadly, new.
Back in 1894 in the August edition of The Clarion, the paper's cycling correspondent "Swiftsure"
identified this unfortunate mental condition long before most of those Argus correspondents we so enjoy hearing from were born - or probably even their grandparents.
He wrote: "Cyclo-phobia is a very prevalent complaint in these trying days; whilst very noticeable in yelping dogs and cap-throwing boys, it reaches its highest development in some magistrates, notably one in Dublin."
I can't say I've had any trouble from boys throwing caps but "cyclo-phobia" is certainly still with us. Swiftsure thought observing the rules of the road important. He went on: "If cyclists only observed these rules there would be less reason for the present outcry against them and the risk of an accident to themselves or others would be greatly diminished."
How could one disagree?
- Ian Bullock, secretary, Brighton and Hove Clarion Cycling Club, Bonchurch Road, Brighton
I write in disgust regarding the radical change to The Drive and Grand Avenue, Hove. Some may perceive it as a philanthropic gesture to cyclists, others as just another ploy to make motoring more painful.
Either way, it is a disgrace. This stretch of road used to be proudly and affectionately spoken of by many residents as the Champs Elysees of Hove.
Now it has become at the very least yet another example of the lunatic mismanagement of so-called town planning and, more seriously, the desecration of a treasure. Shame on all those responsible.
- DJ Shoebridge, Hangleton Road, Hove
What a pity that £700,000 was spent on a dangerous, ugly bicycle lane when nobody wanted it and it's hardly being used (The Argus, June 4). The money could have been spent on new seating and shelters for the seafront.
The seafront is used by millions of people every summer.
People have been crying out for new seating and shelters for decades. For a top seaside resort, the promenade is a disgrace. I thought things would be better under a Conservative administration.
- TJ Brown, Ditchling Road, Brighton
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