Sir – Your letters page regularly demonstrates the willingness of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to blame each other for the tragic rise in cyclist fatalities and injuries on our roads, when the blame clearly lies equally with us all.
As an ADI, (approved driving instructor), I teach all my pupils, to anticipate and plan for the actions of other road users. For example, if a pedestrian, motorcyclist or cyclist looks over their right shoulder, they are likely to move into your path, so you should allow for this, whether you believe they should or not.
When travelling next to parked cars, expect their doors to swing open or for them to pull into your path, while they are manoeuvring and you will avoid having to make sudden changes of direction, putting yourself and others in danger.
If other road users have stopped to allow a large vehicle to carry out a reversing manoeuvre or negotiate a tight bend, don’t cycle or walk behind it. The driver can’t see you. Awareness rather than aggression will keep you safe.
During a recent lesson, I was encouraging a pupil to assess potential hazards in the road ahead. The pupil noticed a large red delivery van, parked on the left.
The pupil then noticed three bicycles in the cycle lane which were approaching the back of the red van.
Correctly assessing the potential hazard, my pupil decided to hold back and let the bikes pass the van before we did. Bike one and two pulled out without looking and passed the van, bike three, crashed into the back of it. I imagine the rider was grateful we had allowed him plenty of room and seemed to be enjoying discussing it with the bemused van driver!
Chris Smith, Oxford