Sir – I note Richard Mann’s letter (October 11). We can look at it as three separate sections and may even give us a strong clue as to the problem of high accident rates among vulnerable cyclists. Maybe we are getting nearer to the nub of the problem. First, he claims the drop in serious injuries due to the introduction of 20mph zones. Strange, since we have heard so many complaints that these have not been enforced by the police.

Maybe we could improve accident rates in other areas, if only the police stopped enforcing all other speed restrictions. Secondly, Mr Mann advocates more white paint and cycle tracks, but as we have seen from previous letters to your paper, cyclists declare they have a right to ride on the road and not use the provisions where they are provided. Don’t waste money on these schemes unless backed by suitable by-laws. Thirdly, he raises the problem of training, especially among commercial vehicles. Chris Smith’s letter on the same page clearly reinforces the point. How inconsiderate of the van driver to park to make a delivery on a piece of road a cyclist wanted to use. How on earth can a cyclist not see a red van when his two colleagues saw it? Obviously a case of careful and attentive riding. I have read his letter several times and can find no mention of training cyclists — I’ll keep looking. Perhaps one of your readers could show me where it is. Please don’t keep on about training vehicle drivers to be aware of cyclists. As a spokesman for Cyclox, you should be campaigning hard for the training of cyclists as to the law and the use of the Highway Code. They are road users, the same as other vehicle users, not God’s gift to the world. In my letter of a couple of weeks ago, I stated that the police were negligent in not enforcing the law and breaches of the Highway Code as vigorously as they do with other road users.

Mr Mann should be supporting me in this and should be campaigning on behalf of the cycling community for strong police actions which can only benefit the cycling fraternity and contribute to their own safety. To stop this carnage, we must build firm foundations and good basic practices. Any builder will tell you that a house built on sand will not stand.

One built on good and strong foundations will endure. Please use your organisation to educate cyclists that they are road users and that the law and the Highway Code apply to them, as well as motorists and, are there for their benefit.

Brian Wallis, Middle Barton