Sir – As last week’s correspondents rightly pointed out, some cyclists ignore the rules of the road, but these are probably in the minority. However, the vociferous anti-cycling lobby happily tar most, if not all, cyclists with the same brush.
Fortunately, my days of regularly cycling in Oxford are largely over, but my past experience convinces me that cyclists are more sinned against that sinning.

Over three or four decades I’ve:

  • Been knocked off my bike by a motorist who passed too close
  • Been knocked off my bike by a motorcyclist who passed too close
  • Been hit in the face by an insecure rear door of a parked lorry
  • Had near-collisions with cars suddenly entering or leaving side roads in front of me
  • Had a taxi veer across the cycle lane and on to the pavement before it had fully overtaken me
  • Had several encounters with car doors opened without warning
  • Had numerous pedestrians step out in front of me without warning — one holding a cup of hot chocolate that went all over me.

I’ve also been sworn at by other road users, apparently just for being there.
I’m very glad that my cycling now is largely confined to quiet country lanes.
Geoff Tayler, Marcham