I am pleased my recent rant regarding pedestrians on cycle lanes moved Bruce Smith so much he felt compelled to write to you (Letters, August 28).

Unfortunately, it seems he was unable to understand the point that I raised. I am fully aware of the function of bicycle bells (having had one on my tricycle at the age of three) but find it very hard to believe pedestrians would believe the manic ringing of a bell behind them was actually directed at them.

Most people are so self-obsessed and unaware of their surroundings that such an act would go unnoticed.

I find it intriguing that Mr Smith believes that, by using a bell, I would "instill fear and respect in walkers".

To my mind, the method of communication used is superfluous as the end result is still the same due to most people's belief that everything they say and do is utterly correct and their refusal to believe they are ever in the wrong.

Oh, and just as a final point: in his haste to promote the humble bicycle bell, Mr Smith stated in his letter that I had "threatened to run pedestrians down". Far from it.

I actually stated that there would be fewer tourists to return to Brighton if they kept walking in front of my bicycle but that this was not a direct threat to tourists - I was merely stating the fact that sooner or later I was bound to knock one of them down due to their own careless actions.

-Abbey Whelan, Hove