How welcome at last to see a proper sense of proportion relating to the call for extending driving offences to cyclists (Editorial, 11 September). At Cycling UK, the national cycling charity, we do not believe simply adding cycling to current offences is the answer. The reality is that the way in which the justice system deals with mistakes, carelessness, recklessness and deliberately dangerous behaviour by all road users has long been inadequate. Before it creates new cycling offences, the government needs to review road traffic offences in the round, by all road users. Just adding to a system that’s not working is a sticking plaster not a solution. The government promised a widespread review of all offences and penalties over three years ago, but we’re still waiting. It needs to get on with that long overdue exercise, and could look at cycling offences at the same time.
Paul Tuohy
CEO, Cycling UK
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com
• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters
