With respect to David Churchill (Letters, January 31), since the legislation was introduced concerning cyclists the amount and nature of traffic has changed remarkably.

Since 1970, the number of cars on our roads has increased 16-fold. The size of the average car is now double the size it was in 1970 and while safety features on cars have improved there is little that can be done about safety features on bicycles.

This has led to two things. Firstly, the inception of cycle lanes and, secondly, a ten-year project to provide a national network of cycle routes.

Both these initiatives are good news for cyclists. However, given the nature of the UK's ageing road system and the sheer size and volume of modern motor vehicles, who could not understand and even endorse a cyclist taking refuge on a pavement in order to preserve his or her life?

Times change, and change quickly, Mr Churchill. We do not live in a world of Austins and Prefects or charabancs and the local bobby on his boneshaker.

This is the age of 4x4s, SUVs and 32-tonne articulated lorries. The laws concerning cyclists are archaic.

-Kevin Bence, London Road, Brighton