Sir – Dr Okely (Letters, May 12) is correct: “many cyclists” ride dangerously on pavements, creating both a perceived and an actual threat to vulnerable pedestrians.

David Dixon is entirely wrong to claim that Dr Okely supports new legislation because of only one incident (Letters, May 19).

Mr Dixon makes exactly the error of which he wrongly accuses Dr Okely. He implies that the fortunes of only two people among 60m (himself and his daughter) suffice to prove a new law would be a waste of Parliamentary time.

In fact, in the UK in an average year, 200 pedestrians are hit by cyclists and three are killed. Cyclists can be prosecuted under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, but its maximum sentence is only two years and seldom used.

Causing death by dangerous driving can earn 14 years’ jail.

This maximum is also seldom used but at least it exists. Andrea Leadsom’s Dangerous and Reckless Cycling Bill rightly proposes equalising sentences for killer cyclists with those for killer drivers.

In 2008, cyclist Darren Hall killed pensioner Ronald Turner and got seven months.

In 2007, cyclist Jason Howard killed teenager Rhiannon Bennett and was fined £2,200. In 2006, cyclist Peter Messen killed Gary Green and got 300 hours’ community service. All three were riding on the pavement.

Police scarcely enforce existing laws against Oxford’s thousands of lawless cyclists. Better enforcement would reduce the injury and intimidation of pedestrians.

However, the 1861 Act is not enough for killer cyclists.

Every MP should vote for Mrs Leadsom’s Bill.

Hugh Jaeger, Oxford