We should build city a velodrome

I READ your articles about cycling on paths and want to make some comments.

I agree that something has to be done about cycling on paths. Last year my daughter was coming out of my nan's house in Fishponds which is just by the cycle track when a bike smacked straight into her, sending her flying.

I rushed to pick her up along with my dad and nan who was screaming at the cyclist to look at what he had done.

He was very remorseful and thankfully Layla was ok – just shocked and bruised. But it could have been so much worse as he was travelling at such a speed. Hopefully he has learnt his lesson now.

I also read about your article on bus passes not being allowed to be used before 9am. I can understand why the elderly aren't supposed to use them before 9am as most of them are retired and have more flexibility at what time they travel – unlike workers who mostly have to start at 9am – although there are some pensioners who do work – my dad being one of them – and they should be able to travel free.

The down side of not being able to travel before 9am is that disabled people (like myself who does work) can't use my bus pass either.

I found that problem out when I had to travel to St Michael's Hospital for a scan at 9.15am and was told by the driver I couldn't use my pass as it was 8.30am.

I found that very frustrating as what is the point of having a free bus pass if you can't use it?

Sarah Reid

THE best solution to the issue of people cycling on the pavements is to provide a special place for people young and old to cycle their hearts out away from pedestrians and cars.

The answer is simple: let's build a state-of-the-art velodrome for Bristol.

Cycling has captured the nation's imagination and we have shown we can deliver on the track.

If Bristol has a world-class facility we can enable our youngsters to learn how to cycle and compete, and along the way they will pick up good habits from their peers (thinking of others, teamwork, respect, discipline) and then apply these in real-world cycling.

If we are to remain Britain's top Cycling City we really need a Bristol Velodrome.

It could be built using private, public and Lottery money.

And there are two ideal sites – there is plenty of under-used land next to Temple Meads, where the arena was to be built. And the car park at Wapping Wharf is flat, spacious and central.

Why not?

Phil Evans

Totterdown

I'M glad beat manager Martin Hudd (The Post, August 23) seems to identify pavement cycling on the A432 Fishponds Road as an issue affecting quality of life, although his team issued fixed penalty fines to 12 cyclists "in a relatively short period of time".

Could it be that the A432 is a principal route to the city centre for commuting cyclists from Fishponds, Bromley Heath, Downend and Emerson's Green and that cyclists are trying to protect their own quality of life?

Research shows that many experienced cyclists also own high-status cars, so I guess some fixed penalty recipients will be voting with their four wheels.

As an independent designer of cycle networks and facilities, may I suggest co-operation with Bristol's Cycling Officers who are in the process of drawing up a master plan for the encouragement of cycling.

Data on cycling is hard to come by and I'm sure officers would be glad to know where and for what reason pavement cycling is taking place.

Whilst enforcing the law the beat team could also be gleaning information to inform the planning process.

David Neale

Long Ashton

IN answer to Jon Rogers I should like to point out that in the Highway Code it is against the law to ride a cycle on the pavement.

I am not against children doing this, though.

I think that all adult cyclists should have insurance, the same as car and motorcycle riders.

Bikes should be fitted with a small number plate so that they can be identified if the person riding them was to cause an accident, ie by knocking someone down or going into a car and causing damage to it.

At the moment he or she can claim off you but not you off him or her.

I think that £20 a year would be a fair price to pay and it would bring more money in to the Government.

Helmets and lights should also be fitted to all bikes.

This should be compulsory.

Also a yearly check-up by a bike MOT station should have to be made to make sure that they are safe to be ridden on the roads.

A J Selman