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Stay on the roads!

THE report “Cyclist hit walker” (SA July 13) highlights the danger pedestrians are subjected to by cyclists who ride on pavements.

A cyclist, who was riding too fast on the pavement, was fined £100 by magistrates and told to pay his victim £200 compensation.

I believe there has been a substantial increase in the number of cyclists who choose to cycle on footpaths. A clue that this practice is inappropriate and illegal is given by the prefix “foot”.

This is not a localised problem. It happens everywhere. As a resident and pedestrian in Wroughton I have witnessed numerous bad and reckless cycling practices locally.

There are cyclists who threaten pedestrian safety by weaving in and out of them. This can be particularly dangerous for the elderly, who may be unsteady on their feet, or for young children whose attention to danger is limited.

Cyclists often approach pedestrians at speed from behind and give them no warning. They sometimes appear suddenly from blind corners or bends and seem to be oblivious to their possibility of hitting a pedestrian. They mount pavements at speed to avoid traffic lights which have changed to red. They ignore No Cycling signs while often forcing pedestrians to get out of their way. They use their mobile phones while cycling.

These offences are committed by all age groups. There are adults who are kitted out with full sets of safety gear. Despite this they still choose the ride on the footpath. Presumably, this safety gear is to protect themselves if they come into contact with an unfortunate pedestrian.

There are youths who seem to believe roads and footpaths were built to satisfy their desire for entertainment. They delight in performing stupid stunts, such as wheelies, around pedestrians and traffic. They have no regard for their own safety let alone that of others.

None of these morons are required to pass a test or have insurance.

Those with the authority to implement change need to take action to address this unpleasant and persistent problem.

K Kane, Wharf Road, Wroughton

We are not blameless

AS protestors vent their spleen at US President Donald Trump for his decision to continue the policy of his predecessors in separating illegal immigrant parents from their children, it would be prudent to consider the fact that the UK Home Office has agreed to pay £50,000 compensation after a three-year-old girl was placed in care while her father was unlawfully placed in immigration detention.

According to Bail for Immigration Detainees (Bid), a charity that challenges immigration detention, scores of children – and possibly hundreds – are separated from a parent or carer in the United Kingdom every year.

Hypocrisy is the stock in trade of most politicians and sadly is endemic in those who run many of our so called civilised institutions

Des Morgan, Caraway Drive, Swindon