I am a 74-year-old cyclist. I never ride on the pavement and I agree with Tim Shergold (Opinion, February 20) that traffic makes cycling on the road a matter of dicing with death.

Recently, returning from a walk, I was crossing the bottom of St Keyna Avenue, Hove, and was nearly knocked down by five big boys riding on the pavement, coming from behind me.

Had one knocked me down the rest would almost certainly have piled on top.

There are several angles to consider in this problem. One is that most cyclists do not ride carefully enough on the pavement, even in a crowded shopping area.

Another is that there is only one cycle lane in Hove, along the seafront. Pedestrians do wander over this. I can't even get to it without riding along and crossing the busy Kingsway.

Parked vehicles are one of the biggest hazards for cyclists. They take up room on the roads that should be available for cyclists.

It would help if parking was totally banned along main roads, except for loading and unloading - but what an outcry there would be.

There are too many vehicles and, some day, someone is going to have to take what is bound to be some very unpopular action. Who will be brave enough?

-Mrs Betty Middleton, Seaford Road, Hove