Mr Miller is fed up of cyclists using the pavements when legally they are not entitled to do so. He contacted Peterborough City Council, which said it was an enforcement issue, and as such he should contact the police. However, although it is the responsibility of Cambridgeshire police to enforce the law, the council has a responsibility to the public to provide safe routes for all road users.

Cyclists have to contend with busier and busier roads and cycle routes that join to footpaths. The picture that was shown next to Mr Miller's letter was of the very narrow footpath over Crescent Bridge. The cycle route stops on the east side of this bridge, and then cyclists are expected to cross the three lanes of heavy traffic to continue on their journey along Thorpe Road. This is dangerous, and as an experienced cyclist I would not attempt to do this, never mind asking a child or someone with little road confidence to do that. But that is what the law and the council expects cyclists to do. This is unreasonable.

The cycle lanes the council installed on Taverners Road that Mr Miller refers to are narrower than the minimum required standard and, therefore, cyclists get pushed into the kerb or have to contend with aggressive drivers stuck behind them.

Cyclists just want to get to the destination in peace. Very often they choose to cycle on the pavement instead as a result. This then affects pedestrians too, as you cannot often hear cycles coming, which causes animosity between the two groups. This is unnecessary when there are plenty of examples across the land and abroad that could alleviate the problem if the council was serious about encouraging cycling and walking.

I am a member of the new CycleSay lobby group for Peterborough, which was set up especially to address some of these problems. We actively campaign to change things for the better for both walkers and cyclists. Most problems are caused by poor design which desperately needs to change if Peterborough wants to increase its environmental stance on the ground. If anyone wants to have their say about the issues CycleSay are working on, visit our website at www.cyclesay.org.uk

Geraldine Walker
Via e-mail