• I PICKED up a copy of the CNJ from Theobalds Road library, glanced through it over a cup of coffee, and then went to get the bus home via a pleasant walk (I had hoped) through Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

The way into Great Turnstile was almost blocked by a cyclist, parked between the two bollards and mesmerised by her smartphone, completely oblivious to pedestrians trying to pass into or out of what is a narrow and quite dark alleyway.

Having got past this obstruction, within a few seconds a male cyclist came scorching into the dark alley from the sunlit fields, pedalling furiously, again with no thought for pedestrians. As I did not get out of his way in time he swore and carried on regardless.

As you say in the Comment, Bike to the future, in your cycling special of August 17: “We need to move on from the endless disputes between cyclists and drivers and pedestrians; put an end to the squabbling.”

But this will never happen as long as there are cyclists such as those I have described. Even crossing Theobalds Road at the Bedford Row pedestrian lights is hazardous as cyclists often ride at speed through the red light, either side of a bus or lorry.

Marcia MacLeod’s letter in the same issue was excellent. The simplistic view of life promoted by cycling zealots with nothing to carry except a bottle of water and a smartphone needs to be counteracted by a good dose of realism far more often.

GRAHAME MIDDLETON
Address supplied