I SHARE Eddie Duller’s disillusionment with Thames Valley Police over its failure to deal effectively with illegal pavement cyclists in Summertown.

Walkers in Headington suffer from the same scourge. Our MP, Andrew Smith, has been long and tireless in bringing his pedestrian constituents’ complaints to the attention of Thames Valley Police.

He has repeatedly forwarded new approaches in light of the failure of current practice.

A common sense suggestion of a ‘warn and fine’ policy is a variation of Eddie Duller’s “fine and warn” idea.

As a first step, notices on pavements, warning cyclists of the law and its penalties could deter those who assume that the practice is tolerated.

Reduced numbers could allow the regular prosecution of persistent offenders, as Eddie Duller suggests.

The heavy cost of policing would be reduced and fewer community police would be kept from other duties.

Sadly, the latest response to Andrew Smith from the authorities reveals the mindset of those whom we pay to protect us.

Supt Amanda Pearson of Thames Valley Police wrote on July 8, quoting Joy White, Senior Transport Manager for Oxfordshire County Council, whose “stance” is “since it is illegal...signs are unnecessary and merely add to street clutter (and) can be ignored.

“If people get used to seeing these signs and then find a pavement where there isn’t one, they might conclude it is okay to cycle there”.

However pathetic, the message is clear: pedestrians have been abandoned and the law is a paper tiger.

DOROTHY BIRTLES, Holley Crescent, Headington