AFTER reading the very sad story of Brian Coates (Echo, Oct 22) who suffered brain damage as a result of falling in Skinnergate after either being hit by a bicycle or startled by one being ridden by some boys, isn’t it time that action was taken to stop this practice of riding bikes on pavements and in pedestrian areas?

I’m sure, like me, many readers will have had to dodge bikes being ridden by these idiots who are breaking the law, but when did anyone hear of a conviction for riding a bike on a pavement?

The law in the Highway Code couldn’t be clearer: “You must not cycle on a pavement.”

Laws HA 1835 sect 72 & R(S)A 1984, sect 129.

John Maughan, Wolsingham, Co Durham

WITH reference to the Darlington town centre incident, cycling is not allowed in Holland or on the Continent on pavements or in a pedestrian area. This is also true in the UK, but Darlington seems to be an exception for some odd reason.

The council could easily erect signs in the town centre as to where people can cycle and where they cannot, and then the police should enforce it.

It is totally anti-social to cycle in pedestrian areas and on town centre pavements especially.

There are many incidents with cyclists in Darlington town centre all the time, but they are not always reported. They might not always be serious but they are definitely disturbing, intimidating and an obvious nuisance to the general public, especially to the elderly.

Too many cyclists speed down pavements and often they have no bell and sometimes they are not even holding the handlebar, which is against the law as well. They are an obvious danger to the public and definitely should be stopped.

It is time that Darlington council understands this obvious problem and puts a stop to it. The recent incident should be reason enough to launch an inquiry into the cycling habits in the town centre.

Frederick Stehr, Darlington