Accusations fly in battle of motorists and cyclists

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The Evening Standard reported this week that nearly 400 riders were fined by City of Londonpolice for flouting the law in the last three months.

But transport experts say motorists are also creating flashpoints, as they fail to give cyclists space. Since the story broke, scores of readers have contacted www.standard.co.uk to voice concerns. Many said "jaywalking" pedestrians were adding to rising tensions.

Today motoring organisations insisted that better, higher-profile policing was the answer.

Andrew Howard, head of road safety at the AA, said most road users were sensible but "it is clear the police have to keep a tighter rein on what goes on.

However, they must be even-handed they should not not just pick on motorists because they have numberplates and can get information on them. It would be good if cyclists felt there was at least a chance of getting told off if they did something wrong. But to achieve this even-handedness we need more police on the roads."

Sheila Rainger, the RAC Foundation's head of campaigns, added: "The trouble comes when police rely on automatic cameras to enforce rules: it does not get to the root of the problem and does not help reinforce good behaviour."

Roger Geffen of cyclists' organisation CTC said: "We are all for more policing - it would have a beneficial effect." CTC called for cyclists who broke the rules to be sent on retraining courses.