THE recent accident between a pedestrian and cyclist on Sterte Road only serves to further illustrate how expecting bikes to share the road with heavy fast-moving traffic is simply not acceptable.

Only two years ago the Echo reported how this very road has HGVs ‘crashing’ over the speed humps and traffic ignoring the 20mph limit. In the same year, less than a mile away, a cyclist was killed.

Why are we surprised that people choose to use the pavement instead? A lack of decent, continuous cycling infrastructure causes this conflict.

Imagine trying to get about if there were no pavements and we had to walk in the same lane as motor vehicles passing us at speed? Would you? Would you let your children? That’s what we expect cyclists to do.

The solution for Sterte Road? Close it at one end to motor traffic. The lorries will take other routes to the factories but in one fell swoop it will become a safe, residential road where cyclists will no longer feel the need to ride on the pavements and children will once again play.

Oh, and that should increase house prices too! Who wouldn't win?

MIKE CHALKLEY, Cowper Road, Bournemouth