I am replying to the letter from Michael Hugh-Jones on November 7. I was surprised that a man of his intelligence failed to observe the “Cyclists Dismount” signs which have been in place for some months.

It is no good complaining by saying cyclists have been riding along what are really only footpaths for 20 years, and then suddenly signs are put in place to say cycling along this stretch is no longer allowed.

It is like motorists saying we have driven along these roads for years at 30mph and now signs have been put up with a 20mph maximum speed.

There is no difference, the law is the law and we are obliged to adhere to it. It was just bad luck Michael, that you happened to ride along this path when for once in a blue moon the police had got the PCSOs to enforce it. I cannot quite see the relevance to the above issue, but you go on to criticise the government and of the general election next May, and of the undemocratic way of the ‘first past the post’ system of elections.

Today’s letters

Well if you hadn’t ridden your bike ‘past the post’ pardon the pun, you would not have been clobbered with a £50 fine.

Over the years, the local authorities have bent over backwards to please cyclists with all the new cycle ways and cycle lanes on both the roads and pavements and cycle boxes at road junctions, yet many cyclists are very selfish and continually flout the law, jumping red traffic lights, riding with no lights, the list is endless.

MICHAEL CLARKE Lewell Avenue Old Marston Oxford