WHILE agreeing with Ms Taussig (Have Your Say) that we should afford cyclists as much protection as possible, we can do little to save the really stupid ones from themselves. I was recently driving along Surrey Road on a dark and wet night, and as I reached the junction of Branksome Wood Road a cyclist rode off the pavement straight into my path.

The normal reaction would be to hit the brakes which would have caused me to slide straight into him.

But, thanks to my racing experience, I swung the wheel hard right and accelerated away from him and was able to avoid a nasty accident.

This idiot was wearing dark clothing, had no lights, was riding on the pavement and went through a red light.

In other words he broke several laws, whereas I broke none and was driving cautiously.

Had this person been killed or injured due to his own folly, I find it unbelievable that anyone would try to hold me responsible.

GRAHAM CRIBB, Branksome Wood Road, Bournemouth