THE recent news of the lady knocked down by a cyclist on the pavement (Daily Echo, September 22) does not shock anyone. However, it is worth bearing in mind how rare this kind of collision is.

I think there has been a lot of demonisation of cyclists in recent years. Even those who are victims are not exempt. Where cyclists turn to pavements there are several factors that influence this decision from my understanding.

Stopping several local pedallestrians, as I tend to call them, in my home town a couple of years back and asking their opinion, I noted several concerns – most notably that of speeding motor traffic, also abuse they have had from drivers for using the road.

There will always be those that will ride inconsiderately, but we now have to assess whether driving standards in our society are having a knock-on effect.

There are clearly solutions: a reduced speed limit to 20mph in all urban areas (noting that the average journey speeds in these areas are between 12-15mph once you factor in rush hour congestion); an awareness programme on the television for and about cycling (many cyclists I know would volunteer); and simply increasing police numbers and providing better training/guidelines over cycling matters.

It is inevitable that change will come: fuel costs soar, health issues dominate and for those few that subscribe to the debate the environment is also a factor.

It is also strongly worth remembering that you’re far less likely to end up as a killed or serious injury (KSI) statistic from a bicycle than from a motorised vehicle.

The average yearly figures for cycle-on-pedestrian KSIs are approximately 200 for injury and 0.5 deaths. For motor vehicle-on-pedestrian it is around 420 deaths and many, many more injuries. There, too, is strong evidence that the more cyclists who use the roads, the safer it becomes for them.

DJ COOK, Sholing, Southampton