THERE is nothing quite like a story about cycling or cyclists to get letters pouring into the newsroom and posters on the website going into overdrive. Mike Anwyll was puzzled at the police reaction to the woman driver who mounted the pavement, crossed a grass verge and knocked him off his bike as he minded his own business on a cycle path at Gravel Hill.

Although police say she was sufficiently blameworthy to merit further action, it will take the form of a driver awareness course rather than by a prosecution. Most surprising is the admission in the police letter that “the imposition of a fine and penalty points will not do anything to correct poor driving habits.” The driver’s actions in this instance certainly look like more than just a bad habit. And if there’s no point in taking this kind of case to court, it surely calls into question thousands of prosecutions. You don’t have to be a genius to see standards on the roads are deteriorating fast.