IN response to VC Day’s letter about pavement cycling (HAS, June 3), the interpretation of the law on pavement cycling was clarified by the Home Office, when Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and wardens were given the power to issue fixed penalty notices.

To quote from a letter to a Mr H Peel from John Crozier, of the Home Office (reference T5080/4, February 23, 2004): “I should stress that the issue is about inconsiderate cycling on the pavements. The new provisions are not aimed at responsible cyclists who sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of fear of the traffic, and who show consideration to other road users when doing so.”

Some 55 pedestrians are killed by cars on pavements each year, while the number killed by cyclists is so low it doesn’t appear in any statistics. I can think of two cases in recent years.

Yes, something should be done to discourage irresponsible cycling, but please let’s keep things in proportion.

Now, can we talk about the two pedestrians killed by cars each day in the UK or the 3,000 deaths and quarter of a million casualties on Britain’s roads each year?

Mike McTimoney, Secretary, Darlington Cycling Campaign.