Readers letters
You state that “heavy goods vehicles cause 20% of all fatal accidents involving cyclists” (News, PE May). It would probably be more correct to state that heavy goods vehicles are involved in 20% of all fatal accidents involving cyclists, given the low level of competency displayed by many cyclists of all ages.
I well recall the day that a fellow student, who had never ridden a bike before going to university, almost ended up under the wheels of a double-decker when he ignored the white lines across a junction telling him to give way to traffic on the main road.
I also remember exhorting my sons to wear crash helmets, use lights after dark and to remember that Britain drives on the left of the road. For some reason, they didn't realise how wise their dad was until they started driving.
And not that long ago I watched a cyclist, wearing a personal stereo, speed round a corner without looking, straight across a pelican crossing and almost flatten a pedestrian who was crossing with the lights in his favour. A real-life example of The Who's Tommy, a deaf, dumb and blind kid.
Most drivers, particularly those handling HGVs and PCVs, have undergone extensive training, in contrast to cyclists who can get on a bike without any preparation and, it seems, any culpability if they are involved in accidents.
All drivers make mistakes, but you do them a great disservice by implying that they are automatically to blame when a cyclist is involved. It is about time that people realised that roads are dangerous places, and that all users, not just those in powered vehicles, should be trained to use them safely – and to obey the Highway Code.
Brian Rowney, Astley, Manchester
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