SIR.

While Kingston Councillors may be considering how they might spend the money Boris Johnson is offering to improve the safety of cyclists, the council  should also show what plans it has to protect pedestrians from arrogant and intimidating cyclists in the borough.

Cyclists may be vulnerable to motorised vehicles, but pedestrians are even more vulnerable to cyclists.

The council and its officials have up to now failed disgracefully to enforce their own rules, particularly in Canbury Gardens where cyclists endanger small children by cycling along the tarred footpath (ignoring the No Cycling sign), or tear through the pedestrianised Clarence Street in Kingston town centre.

I have experienced both of the above, but there cannot be anyone in the borough who has not seen cyclists jumping red traffic lights and cycling on pavements in residential areas.

Many will also have seen people cycling wearing headphones or talking on mobile phones.

We need police to show considerably more energy in enforcing the law where cyclists are concerned.

Cycling safety is important, but pedestrian safety should come first and our local authority and the police should see it does.

Heather Forrester
Kingston