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• Poor urged to join the wealthy on their bikes
• Cycling in the square mile

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Tokyo - is far more congested on both pavements and roads - but there road cycling is banned - why you may ask? well it's because in Japan the roads are deemed too dangerous for cyclists. Pedestrians and cyclists get on well on the pavements, why I hear you ask again? well it's because Japanese society is polite and flexible and nothing like some of petty idiots who have posted messages previously. If cyclists and pedestrians are spacial aware of each other, then I'm sure even we could follow the Japanese model, but then again after reading some of the above I suspect not.

- Dave Arnup, London

I've just been billed £30 for cycling on an empty pathway. I'm 16 and why should I have to go on the road if it is dangerous and confusing e.g. roundabouts. Tfl are trying to reduce emissions but they're not doing the best at promoting it if we're not allowed to on paths.

- Elliot, hets

Well said, Philip London! I live in Bath and it's been a menace here, too. We've been battling this for some time. Some are very rude and aggresive, which gives cycling a bad name. Several of the PCSO's are keen cyclists, and one has designed his own flyer! 60 cyclists were fined £30 on the spot last month. It's dangerous and illegal - we've all nearly been sent flying at one time or another, but sadly most people are too timid to speak, and obediently step out of the way to let the cyclists pass.

- Julie Trollope, Bath, UK

A car mounting the footpath in front of a pedestrian is also very dangerous. Cars driving with two wheels on the footpath should also get the same fine. In Reading double yellow lines seem to mean that cars must drive two wheels onto the footpath before parking.

- Quentin, Reading Town, United Kingdom

Dr Society, I see your point: Ban all forms of non-polluting, non-congesting transport. We should only allow cars, vans and HGVs on our congested streets. Otherwise we may lose our beloved clogged up highways for good!

- Surf Green, London, UK

Since a bicycle is available as a means of transport for just about anyone, the priority ought to be to make it as convenient and safe as possible, in order to encourage more people to take up cycling and get them out of cars and overstretched public transport.
It's crazy to be spending millions on advertising campaigns to promote cycling, while at the same time introducing this sort of punitive policy.
Only in bizarrely cycle-hating London would this even be contemplated.

In Tokyo for example, cycles on pavements are accepted unless they are seen to be riding dangerously.
In many American cities, cycling on pavements is fine except where specifically prohibited, provided it's reasonably slow and an audible warning is given when approaching a pedestrian. This seems very reasonable to me.
In Berlin, almost everyone seems to have a bike and use it, from old ladies to small children, and most pavements are used both by pedestrians and cycles - and there's no perception of cyclists as an alien nuisance species.

Why this obsession with bikes 'breaking the law' in the UK, it is a mystery, but it really isn't healthy - a bit of pragmatism by the authorities would be much better than another swathe of authoritarian enforcement to add to that already endured by car drivers.

- Charlie, Hackney

I walk to work and back along the embankment from Vauxhall to Westminster every day on what I presume to be a footpath. However, the scores of cyclists speeding up and down would make me believe it was another road! I can appreciate it is a safer place to cycle but it makes it more dangerous for pedestrians who have to look both ways if they want to pass a fellow pedestrian in case they walk in front of a bike. If they slowed down near people or kept to one side of the footpath I really wouldn't mind sharing this space. Maybe a cycle lane needs to be painted along there? Police regularly patrol this area and don't do anything for some reason - maybe it's legal to cycle there but I don't see any signs to that effect. It's one of the nicest walks in London but it's spoiled by the cyclists...

- David Allen, London, UK

Perhaps, like the horse, the bicycle should be discouraged as an everyday form of transportation in our congested towns and cities. Has the bike had its day?


- Dr Society, UK

As a regular cyclist, I know that if you can cycle properly you are safer in the road as part of the normal traffic flow. Most adult London cyclists actually only use pavements in short stretches and slowly, so this is a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

There are adequate powers already to go after people who cycle dangerously or criminals who use bikes as a good means of escape.

- Ian, Acton

You can kill a cyclist with your truck while rummaging through your paperwork and get fined £300 for it or you can cycle on the pavement, an activity resulting in one death every four years in the whole of the UK, and you get fined a third of that. Someone needs to get a perspective and perhaps if the Councils think it really is dangerous to cycle on the pavement they should stop putting cycle facilities on them and encouraging cyclists to use them.

- Tony, Cambridge, UK

Can we also now fine motorists who drive their cars on the pavements?

Motorists on pavements kill 50+ people a year, you're currently more likely to be killed by a police car on the pavement than a cycle, yet everyone turns a blind eye to this danger.

- Steve, London

I have just returned from a 2 month tour of Japan, and guess what? Cycling is banned on the roads as it's deemed as just too dangerous. Everyone cycles on the pavements, even in Tokyo, and all without problem.

I had my one year old son in a pushchair most of the time and at no point did I think his or even my life was in any kind of danger.

I didn't see any elderly people, partially sighted or those of hard hearing who look frightened in the slightest.

- Tim Strudwick, London

Disability dictates that I spend a disproportionate amount of my time as a pedestrian, and my work involves carrying a very valuable musical instrument with me. I am under regular threat on the pavement, and I have witnessed the knocking over of an elderly friend and injuries to others. When I have remonstrated with cyclists, I have twice been assaulted.
On three occasions I have asked police constables on the beat why they apparently took no notice of cyclists who rode past them. My impression from their pat replies was that they were under instruction to turn a blind eye.
It is depressing to hear the meekest of middle-class aquaintances trotting out the "Well, I am always very careful" justification. Are they suggesting that pedestrians only get hurt in a situation where the cyclist goes out of his way to injure them?
There can be no justification at any time for riding a bicycle in areas designated for the exclusive use of pedestrians. It is a pitiful reflection on our society that the most vulnerable should not be able to walk safely on its street pavements.

- Jonathan Strange, Wembley, UK

Simple question: How many pedestrians have been killed and injured from a cyclist.

- Michael Shaw, Wembley

Just another opportunity to employ a load of toothless overpaid and useless officials. Make the punishment draconian, not just nominal, otherwise it will continue to be totally ignored by the ignorant thugs that already shrug it off.

- Lezl, London, UK

Apart from injuries caused to the pedestrians, we have also heard of the cases of mobile phones, as well as handbags snatching by the cyclists (mostly the youth clad in hooded upper dress) on less crowded pavements. The offenders, in such cases, very comfortably disappear in the nearby side streets, while the helpless victim can just do nothing. This aspect of the pavement-cycling problem also needs to be addressed by the concerned quarters.

- Nadeem Asghar, Hounslow, London, UK.

Whilst its not acceptable to ride inconsideratly on the pavement, making it illegal is totally wrong.
I saw a dead cyclist one night in the rain. A lorry had dragged him along some railings because the road is narrow and truck drivers cannot of course see cyclists with their little flashy led things sparkling somewhere 3 feet of the road, when oncoming traffic has its foglights badly adjusted and on.
Cyclists. Get on the pavement and slow down a bit.
Lets all live together. The roads have changed its simply not safe to cycle on the roads any more.

- Alex, Surrey

No problem with the £100 fine, just so long as car users in the the cycle lane get a similar fine and enforcement.

- Paul, London

I hope the fines extend to people cycling over the Millenium Bridge, particularly as that has a large sign at either end telling cyclists to dismount, but still they ignore the signs. Perhaps the girl who regularly cycles rapidly over the bridge at around 8.05 am will get her come uppance.

- Mike, Surrey

What about kids, do they have to cycle on the road?

- Michael, London

I get three children to school every day on bicycles, one age 2 on the back of mine and two others age 6 and 7 on their own bikes. I'm doing the things which we currently seem to be encouraged to do every day by the government and local authorities: keeping our car off the road, reducing congestion and preventing the children from turning into obese and inactive sloths.

However there is no way that I can do this safely in Islington without going on the pavement for some substantial parts of the journey. We therefore ride where we have to on the pavement, slowly, very carefully and responsibly and trying not to make a nuisance of ourselves.

If we have to keep getting on and off and pushing then it defeats the obect, its not worth making the journey on bicycles and we'll go back to using the car.

I don't see any way in which this will change any time in the long forseeable future by segregating roads. It would require vast expense in planning and reconstruction of roads to do effectively and just isn't going to happen.

The idea of fining me for trying to get my children to school safely and efficiently by bicycle seems ridiculous. Its not riding on the pavement per se which should be punished by fines but doing so in a way that is dangererous to others.

- B, London

I totally disagree with John Robertson. As a regular cyclist in London, I understand the pressures and the temptations of trying to get around fast safely. But the fact of the matter is that the issue of illegal cycling has been in the news for a number of years - and usually around the same issues - eg pavement riding. It can be argued the opportunity to be better cyclists has been given, but to date very rarely taken up. With an increase in the cycling population - many of whom appear very poorly trained or road aware - illegal cycling will continue to be a problem. So the solution is hit them hard financially and be anally retentive if that's your thing!

- Matthew, London

£30 is not enough. £100 is just about right. Provided that the fines are being enforced and not as this is not happening with mobile phone users in cars.

I am now anticipating wailing protests from 'hard-done-by cyclists' such as, "This is not fair".

- Robert Zimmerman, London

I appreciate that it is difficult for cyclists on busy London roads but the attitude of some cyclists is that they seem to think they own the pavement and cycle along with no regard to others. I have on several occasions had a near miss with a cyclist who has ignored the fact that pavements are designed for pedestrians and not for cyclists to beat the traffic. I welcome this initiative if it will make these errant cyclists act more responsibily. I therefore cannot agree with John Robertson's comments. What we really need of course is proper cycle lanes which cannot be used by errant motorists. I have been a cyclist, a motorist and now a pedestrian so have seen the problems from all angles.

- Alan, London

Maybe Joan Robertson might think differently if she - like me - had been nearly knocked flying while walking on the pavement when I was eight months pregnant. A cyclist came up behind me (not only on the pavement but going the wrong way up a one-way street) at breakneck speed, knocked into me with great force and, when I called after him just gave me the finger and swore If fearing for the safety of my unborn child makes me a 'nasty, anally retentive' person then so be it. Grow up John. Pavements are for people, not cyclists.

- Lindsay, London

"Mayor Ken Livingstone claims that he spent £5.6 million bringing the opening of the Tour de France to the capital this summer."
This vast sum should have been spent on cycling paths. Do non-cyclists have any idea just how dangerous cycling is on the road? Is £100 the price for a life? By the way, I do not condone irresponsible behaviour towards pedestrians. Maybe if cars took more care we would not have this problem. I am much too scared to cycle in London.

- Irene Hobbs-Meyer, Walton on Thames, Surrey

There is a big difference between a mum cycling slowly on the pavement with her four year old on a little bike, or someone with their dog on the way to the park and a "lycra-lout". Can we not just punish the stupid and reckless with the police using some old fashioned discretion? Cycling slowly and with due care should be allowed. Parking attendents should NOT have this power.

- Rupert Sugden, London

Cyclists who ride fast and recklessly on the pavement are a menace and deserve a fine, but many cyclists ride slowly and with care on the pavement when it is unsafe to do anything else.

There would (should) be fewer cyclists on the pavement if police and wardens protected the space on roads that are meant for cyclists. I have seen many cars in cycle lanes and advanced stop lanes, I have never seen one given a ticket for it (unlike bus lanes which often attract penalties).

Could Evening Standard please stop using the phrase 'Lycra louts' which is clearly meant to prejudice readers against cyclists. It is lazy journalism, especially when it is clear from the photo above that the cyclist has not a gram of Lycra on him.

- Mike, Brixton

It is cars that make going on the roads dangerous, yet nobody complains much about car accidents being our main cause of death, along with cancer and heart disease.

Cyclists cycle on pavements because otherwise they would get killed on the road. Would you let your child cycle on Britain's roads?

Why not provide some cycling paths, after all a large part of the country is given over to drivers and cars, why not give a small bit of this to cyclists who after all do not poison our children with noxious fumes and (on the whole) do not drive vehicles that kill on impact at a moments inattention.

- Suzanne, London

I'm all for cyclists using the pavements. As a motorist, I'm keenly aware of out two wheeled friends, and if they can act responsibly on an unused section of pavement, go for it. Clearly rush hour with pavement congestion is not the place to go hurtling through on a cycle, but generally I rather see them on the pavement than in the road.

- P, London, UK

I was knocked down by a cyclist this morning, junction of Wellington Street and Strand. Apparently they come off Waterloo Bridge at high speed, jumping red lights, then up Wellington into Covent Garden. The road is closed to vehicles but not cyclists - but there's no warning you're likely to be hit at 30 mph by a thug on a bike!

- Mike Abbott, London, UK

I hope they will also fine the car drivers who drive dangerously, park in cycle lanes and do not stop on advanced stop lines but instead travel forward taking cyclists' space.

- Simon Edward, Camberwell, London

Fines are fair enough, but if they are going to fine cyclists for using the pavement, then fine cars for parking on cycle lanes. And fine them big time!

- Vivian, London, UK

It is about something was done to cyclists, as those who cycle on the pavements are a law unto themselves. I have had experiences were I have been told to move out of the way, these are the cyclist who think that they can go faster as they are not on the roads, but basically all that means to me is that they are to scared to actually venture onto the roads, as "they" might get hurt. My idea would be for all cyclists to have a license just like motorists, this way if they are caught cycling on the pavements or cycling dangerously, they are not only fined but could have points put on their license or in extreme cases banned from cycling for a period of time, this might sound ludicrous, but it would make them think about their next step. The money then gained from the fines could then be ploughed into the roads, in terms of having more cycle only lanes on the roads and filling in the pot-holes that are so commonly found on the roads, especially in London, which are a hazard to motorists, let alone cyclists.

- Greta, London

This is a brilliant idea and long overdue. I wish the idea could be adopted by other councils throughout the UK. I speak as a youngish pensioner and really these so called lycra louts just don't seem to care how much alarm they can cause. When the pavement is narrow and one is walking along facing oncoming traffic which in turn is very noisy, hearing a cycle bell approaching from your left hand side and almost touching you is not only frightening but it's a downright cheek as I must move out of the way instantly as although a pedestrian, I am apparently also a nuisance! I walk faster than an elderly pensioner too, it's even more alarming for them. If you attempt to make a comment abuse is hurled at you.
Northampton Council should definitely pick up on this one.

- Dawn Bonham, UK

I enjoy cycling and would like to do it more in London but cycling on the roads next to the dodgy taxi drivers and bendy bus drivers is really scary. I admit- I do go on the pavement, but this is for my own safety. I like the idea of having partings in the pavement FOR cyclists as some roads are just TOO dangerous.
I am not a cyclist hoody thug!

- L, London

If you think London has a problem, then try Birmingham or any other West Midlands town or city, there are THOUSANDS of cyclists on the pavement EVERY day ALL day, and nothing is or has ever been done about them.

- Lauren Wilson, Birmingham UK

Rather than hand out fines, it would make more sense to work out why people are cycling on pavements rather than roads (dangerous junctions, one-way systems designed to ease car traffic flow that make cycle journeys far longer than they need to be, streets without cycle lanes that become blocked with stationary vehicle traffic), and re-design the system to make ease of cycling a priority too. When it's easier and safer to use the road than the pavement, no-one's going to cycle on the pavement.

- Fred, London

This sounds like a good idea in principle: further enforcement of pavement cycling is to be welcomed. As has been noted, such behaviour intimidates pedestrians and needs to be stamped out.

- Pedestrian, London UK

There are a number of "shared user" pavements for cyclists and pedestrians on my routes to work, but their start and end point aren't clearly signed. On one occasion I had to point out to a Policeman, who had stopped me, that I was within my rights to cycle on this particular section of pavement. On other occasions I have been given verbal for cycling on shared and non-shared pavements. I'm not sure that "shared user" paths are the answer, it clearly causes too much confusion. However the current cycle lanes are not integrated with traffic and are very limited, often, simply a patch of green asphalt on the pavement, dodging around lamposts and signs. I usually take my chances with the traffic or bus lanes rather than the badly placed bike lanes.

On the rare occasion I take to the pavement, I recognise that the pedestrian is king, I cycle slowly and give everyone a very wide berth, others aren't so considerate, but it's surely not worth fining people for it? Imagine a community bobby/parking attendant trying to hand out fines to the youths "terrorising" the pavements of London's inner boroughs?

- A Cyclist, London, UK

About time too, but it needs to be enforced. These cyclists are a danger to everybody and feel that they are above the law.

- Carol, Grays, Essex

As a cyclist who does in excess of 20000 km each year may I suggest that the pedestrians who are worried by cyclists on the pavement try walking on that piece of adjoining road and find out personally why the cyclists are on the pavement.

Yet, I must stress that anyone who attempts this have the reactions of a ninja cat on its last life.

- Threaded, Roskilde, Denmark

Realising the money that could be made on a sector that can't be taxed irks people like Westminster city council are on constant alert for more money making schemes.
Old and deaf people - give me a break. Can't you come up with another demographic by now. It's not about protection, its about taxation like everything else.
Why can't they just be honest with the humble council tax payers.
And what happens if you refuse the fine rather than risk your life with illegal drivers on their roads? Caught and followed on CCTV? Or do we wait for the ID cards to come in?

- Carlo, London England

Will pedestrians also be fined for walking/standing in the bike lanes? And how about the cars parked in the bike lane? A ticket for them too?
This problem goes both ways!

- M.O., Battersea, London

Yet another pop at cyclists! Make it legal for them to ride on paths and educate them. I'd wager less pedestrians get injured by cyclists on pavements than cyslists get injured by cars and buses on roads!

In an age where the population is getting fatter and fatter cycling is an excellent, low cost, way to shed pounds and get fit.

I could continue to rant that there's nowhere for cycles on trains either, or that most of the countryside is out of bounds to cycles because of the ridiculous right to roam laws.

- Dave P, Crowborough, Sussex

In Scotland, it is legal to ride on pavements as cycling is seen as a 'mechanical aid to walking'.

Why are Londoners so weedy when it comes to bikes. I believe there have been 2 deaths in the last 7 years from cycles hitting pedestrians. Maybe pedestrians don't hear bikes coming, but cyclists illegally riding on pavements always see pedestrians as I assume it hurts a lot if you hit one! They'll also be good at spotting traffic wardens. I don't quite see what traffic wardens will be able to do about it if they don't have the legal power to stop cyclists: after all, they can't take their registration number.

With only two deaths in 7 years, shouldn't pedestrians be calling for the banning of cars that cause something like 3000 deaths every year?

I'm a driver, cyclist and pedestrian. Oh, and I never ride on footpaths, I think its safer on the road, as cars are more predictable than ipod wearing, phone texting pedestrians.

- George, London

For once, a fine I can totally agree with. It's always been illegal to ride bicycles on pavements, and for good reason.

A friend had her nose broken by a hit-and-run pavement cyclist. My mother is scared to walk to the shops. She tells me of another 80-year-old whose hip was broken, and who died after surgery. That should have been manslaughter, but again the cyclist just rode away.

Since they'll probably carry false ID or otherwise evade the fine, I'd suggest immediate confiscation of the bike. Also it's about time that a few of these selfish yobs ended up in jail for putting pedestrians in hospital.

- Nigel, London

I've been a London cyclist for over 20 years. I never cycle on pavements and never go through red lights, and I manage to get to my destination safely and in good time. I am angry that cycling gets a bad name because of a number of inconsiderate cyclists. If cyclists persist in cycling on the pavement, jumping red lights and going through pedestrian crossing phases then they must suffer the consequences of breaking the law. Saying, as they do, that drivers often behave illegally and drive dangerously is no argument for discrediting cycling and cyclists by equally poor behaviour. This will only ensure that we never get the proper funding we need to give us the onroad facilities and status that we should have as a right. Instead of adding weight to the anti cycling lobby, maybe the 'lycra louts' should use their anger productively by joining the London Cycling Campaign and working with London Councils and the GLA for better cycling faciltiies and improved public transport for all Londoners.

- Margaret, Brixton

Cyclists on the pavement are a menace.
Their cycles should be confiscated.

- Eric, London, England

Richmond Hill is an excellent example of public funds being invested in signage to prevent cyclists using narrow pavements to travel in the opposite direction to the one way traffic - then the authorities wasting that investment by totally ignoring the many, often otherwise totally law-abiding, miscreants that disobey those signs. I'm sure there are many more examples of those in power considering that their job is done by just passing a law or erecting a sign without the essential enforcement.

- Mike Parr, Richmond upon Thames, England

The issue isn't simply whether cyclists are riding on pavements; proof of this is offered by the multitude of shared-used paths found throughout London, including canal towpaths, whereby cyclists and pedestrians travel together legally and safely.

The real issue is whether cyclists are travelling at a speed which endangers themselves and pedestrians, or in a way that is intimidating to pedestrians.

Someone riding a bike at a low, walking speed on a pavement or canal towpath, using a bell to announce their presence, is very unlikely to scare, hit or hurt anybody. A fine for such behaviour would be pointless and vindictive. However, I know of somebody who was fined for this, despite the fact that the alternative was to ride with their child on a very busy trunk road used by speeding drivers.

Contrast that with someone who rides a bike on a pavement silently, at high speed and in a way that intimidates and/or results in a collision with a pedestrian. A fine for this would serve a useful purpose - to correct such anti-social, dangerous behaviour and deter others.

Ironically, it will be easier to catch the low-speed courteous pavement cyclists rather than the real menaces.

Ultimately, we have to make it safer and less intimidating for cyclists to use the roads, and make shared-use paths a last resort. 20mph zones will help that shift.

- Austen, London

I agree that cyclists should not use the pavements, because of the obvious danger to pedestrians, however I do not believe that the fines should go up until there are unbroken cycle lanes on all major roads in London. Cyclists often have no choice but to cycle on pavements. Take a look at the Strand/Fleet Street at rush hour and you'll soon see the problem.


- Eliza, London, London, England

I agree that cyclists should not use the pavements, because of the obvious danger to pedestrians, however I do not believe that the fines should go up until there are unbroken cycle lanes on all major roads in London. Cyclists often have no choice but to cycle on pavements. Take a look at the Strand/Fleet Street at rush hour and you'll soon see the problem.

The balance has for too long been in favour of the motorist and the pedestrian. Please Mr Livingston, stop wasting Londoner's money on the Tour de France and invest in proper and unbroken cycle lanes for Londoners.

- Eliza, London, England

I agree with the fines but only if the boroughs also impose fines on motorists and pedestrians.
How many pedestrians do you see jay walking at controlled traffic lights often running in front of cars?
When will TFL fine motorists who drive in cycle lanes and park in the cyclists only box at major junctions?

- Rob Medus, Bromley, UK

I am all for cyclists and it is a very good thing, however I find that many cyclists leave the burden of their safety in the hands of other motorists. I see so many not adhering to traffic signals; suddenly moving to the right or left without due care and those that ride on the pavement and don't seem to comprehend that the pavement is meant for pedestrians. Ideally we should have cycle lanes but London roads are not wide enough as it is.

- Su Fernando, London

I live in Westminster. I only use the pavement when cars park in the bike lanes, or the roads are impassable due to the frequent road works going on!

- Philip, London

It is a very small number of cyclists that are a menace and the powers that are in place should be used for the public's safety. I can recount many instances of dangerous cycling. Running pedestrian crossings, one way street = my way street, hands off handlebars and mobile clamped to head... as well as the hospitalisation and scream of but I'm a cyclist that's heard when it all goes horribly wrong.

What is needed is for cyclists to be reminded that as road users they have the rights and responsibilities that go with it. Cycle dangerously, get your bike crushed on the spot!

- Ian, London

Good, I am partially sighted and in London I have no problem coping with cars, buses and trucks as I use the proper crossing points. However too many cyclists just weave on and off the pavement, taking no notice of either road traffic signals, or even the 'no cycling' signs such as in front of the Oxo Tower on the South Bank. They are pests.

- Blind Pugh, Addlestone, UK

I fully agree with prosecuting cyclists who ride aggressively on pavements with scant regard for the safety of others, as this can be frightening and threatening to the most able-bodied of pedestrians. However, I would like to see some kind of provision made for parents attempting to teach young children road safety by cycling with them on pavements to begin with. It's not safe to do this on the roads, and so some permitted use of the pavement for this purpose would seem to be the preferable option. We cannot encourage cycling by just turning children out on to the roads without taking a gradual approach to ensuring they are safe to continue learning on their own.

- Ruth Darby, Hounslow

We will obviously need a huge army of parking wardens to cope with all this. People are cycling on the pavement all over London, not just in the areas mentioned. Also what about the cyclists who jump red lights?

- Sheila, London

I agree with Freya -- it will just be another rule that isn't enforced. John --do you have children? I do and have to constantly be aware of aggressive cyclists on the pavement completely uncaring of pedestrians. I have been hit twice by cyclists riding illegally on the pavement, and once by one that jumped a red light. 'Joie-de-vivre and difference' is fine, but comes with responsibility. Accepting such widespread 'cheekyness' is the beginning of a slippery slope. Cyclists are always demanding their rights on the roads. Why can't pedestrians demand their rights on the pavement? If the roads are dangerous then walk like the rest of us!

- Philip, London, England

It is not just "frightening for elderly people and the partially sighted or hard of hearing", it is frightening and dangerous for every pedestrian, even the fittest and healthiest. We should be able to walk on the pavements and other footpaths without fearing for our physical safety. But I would like to know how these parking attendants intend to stop the cyclists. Where I live, in east London, they often ride faster on the pavements than the speed of the traffic on the roads. And I read that a pedestrian was recently killed in Cornwall by a pavement cyclist who was estimated to be travelling at 20mph. That doesn't surprise me.

- Freya, London

In Stevenage cyclists share parts of the pavement with pedestrians legally and safety; there are on figures showing that pavement cycling injures people.

This is an example of nasty, anally rententive people setting up gangs of petty Hitlers to please the voters who in some cases are also nasty, anally retentive people scared of joie-de-vivre and difference and cheekyness.

This is money that should be spent on old people's homes, dentists, and college tuition fees, not a police state.

- John Robertson, East Sheen, London

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