WHAT a laugh! We read that £96,000 has been spent by Thames Valley Police on a leaflet (Criticism over £96,000 leaflet cost, Oxford Mail, April 22).

It is funny because Andrew Smith, MP, was informed by the local area commander, Supt Amanda Pearson, that a few warning notices in Headington to deter pavement cyclists would not be cost-effective.

The streets of Headington are plagued by a silent menace. Speeding cyclists assume priority on the pavements, leaving walkers in fear of accident, injury or abuse.

Many are particularly vulnerable: small children, the elderly, the handicapped and the visually impaired all have a right to their space on the pavement; cyclists do not.

I was put at risk by two men who thought it would be a lark to force a partially-disabled 88-year-old with a walking-frame out of her path, narrowly avoiding a fall. Now I walk in fear.

For decades, those charged with our protection have used only half-measures such as occasional haphazard fines. They have failed in their duties dismally and the problem has grown out of all proportion.

A new approach is needed.

Since October 2010, Mr Smith has been untiring in urging the police to consider new tactics. One common sense and cost-effective deterrent would be a few prominent warning notices. Young, casual offenders would learn that they are breaking the law and are liable to be fined. They may decide to change their behaviour.

The more persistent, often abusive, culprits could be more easily targeted and penalised. That would be cost-effective.

Mr Smith is continuing to press the police. On my behalf he is asking them: in event of their failure to protect me from injury caused by illegal cyclists, who would be held accountable for my safety and from whom would I claim compensation?

I await a straight answer, but I’ve stopped laughing.

DOROTHY BIRTLES, Hotley Crescent, Headington, Oxford