l AM not at all bothered by cyclists riding on pavements, jumping red lights, weaving in and out of traffic or making obscene gestures while wearing provocative shorts but I am extremely concerned at their total disregard for their own safety.

Some say that it is the motorists’ responsibility to avoid them but it is far easier for a bicycle to swerve round a car than vice versa.

Others claim that, regardless of the circumstances, the motorist should be automatically blamed on the grounds that the cyclist is more vulnerable to being killed or maimed. Surely this makes it even more important for cyclists to do everything in their power to avoid an accident in the first place rather than “exerting their rights”.

Every other creature on earth has an in-built self preservation instinct meaning they will go to great lengths to avoid being killed, maimed or captured.

So why are cyclists the only species completely devoid of this faculty?

GRAHAM CRIBB, Branksome Wood Road, Bournemouth