Sir, - I would like to suggest to Michael Power (January 26th) that he brave the morning rushhour traffic on a bicycle himself to see who the real traffic offenders are.I have been knocked from my bicycle on numerous occasions by the idiotic actions of irresponsible motorists. Two such incidents occurred recently at night, though I had both front and rear lights onmy bike and was wearing a reflective band. I have also had motorists infringe on my right of way, at the same time hurling verbal abuse in my general direction.Two weeks ago, while driving towards Doyle's Corner on the North Circular road in the late afternoon, I saw a car-van in front of me knock an elderly man off a bicycle. The driver did not bother to stop.As both a motorist and a cyclist, my sympathies lie firmly with the bike rider. As a "young driver" I pay a small fortune in car insurance (though I have never had an accident, hold a full licence and drive a low-powered car).
Presumably Mr Power would like to see young people also paying a fortune for the honour of owning a bicycle. - Yours, etc.,Roger Kavanagh,Knocklyon Drive,Templeogue,Dublin 16.