There's little chance of penalising errant cyclists

Some years ago a friend s mother, visiting London, was walking up a slope in a wooded area of the Heath. A small boy on a child s bicycle suddenly came over the brow of the hill and careered down the slope, crashing into her leg. The resulting injury to

Some years ago a friend's mother, visiting London, was walking up a slope in a wooded area of the Heath. A small boy on a child's bicycle suddenly came over the brow of the hill and careered down the slope, crashing into her leg.

The resulting injury to her shin required several stitches at the Royal Free Hospital.

Fortunately the child had not even been unseated from his bike and was unhurt, but the potential was there. Reckless or not, cyclists must be aware that bicycles (like motorised vehicles) are weapons on wheels which can cause injury.

Ian Walker says ''the dog owner is responsible for stopping their animal getting under the wheels of a safely ridden bike'' (Dog owners go to war with cyclists on Heath, H&H October 2).

Would he say the same of parents with small children, people wearing iPods who are unaware of their approach, elderly or disabled people who cannot move swiftly?

Cyclists do have something in common with irresponsible dog owners - there is no way of identifying them and consequently little chance of penalising them for anti-social behaviour.

Consequently we must rely on the Heath Police to ensure that byelaws are complied with and increasing the cycle paths on the Heath will make their job almost impossible.

Anna Farlow

Lyndale Avenue, NW2