Cyclists often discourteous

I HAVE read both the letter from Andrea Gordon and Saturday's letter from a group of cyclists.

Andrea's letter was reasoned and was about all users, not just the blind, and accurately described the problems encountered by non-cyclists on these routes. Thank you, Andrea.

This week there was a similar issue with the Cardiff Taff Path where pedestrians and cyclists again share the route.

This highlighted how a cyclist had run over a dog, resulting in two of his legs being broken. Incidents do happen and are just not always reported.

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I used to walk to work along the front to SA1 but have given up due to the daily abuse from cyclists on this path. They seem to think I should move on to the grass verge and get out of their way.

So to give cyclists more access I have had to stop walking this way.

There are issues with sharing space — the issues cyclists have with cars are similar to those pedestrians encounter with cyclists.

A number of cyclists, usually in lycra, travel at considerable speed, not dissimilar to slow- moving cars. This does not allow them to take evasive action if coming up behind a pedestrian. It should be their obligation to slow down, not for the pedestrian to jump out of the way.

If a route is a shared route, what does ringing their bell mean? Does it mean stand still I want to get past, or move to one side so that I can get past you?

Why can't they slow down so that there isn't a risk of injury? Finally, partly because of bad signage, a significant number of cyclists continue on the pavement if their preferred route is in that direction.

So to share access cyclists travelling over a certain speed should use the road (10mph?): cyclists should show respect for pedestrians and also make an effort to stay legal and not use the pavement; rules for shared space should be understood by all.

The enjoyment of these routes is impeded by the way cyclists use these paths as pedestrians cannot relax.

It strikes me that no one wants to 'police' issues on these routes so cyclists can carry on without being challenged — often rudely and with discourtesy.

Diane Dark

Rhyddings Park Road

Swansea