Today I saw one of those most rare Oxford sights; a cyclist looking behind them before moving out, who waited until there was sufficient space and signalled correctly.

It seems that cyclists do not engage their brains in our city, adopting a somewhat kamikaze style, showing disrespect, arrogance, ignorance and heavy naivety, all served with a smug, superior, ‘greener than you’ attitude.

Generally they are a hazard to other road users, forcing others to swerve and brake sharply.

On the large, they have pathetic road skills and sketchy knowledge of the Highway Code.

I take note of the fact that 12 per cent of collisions involving cyclists are other bike users and stationary objects. The number of times over the years my car, (stationary in traffic) has been struck by passing cyclists I have lost count of!

Over the years, I regularly have ridden horses and bikes (fully-paid up member of Cyclox), been a pedestrian and driven limousines, buses and coaches, cars and small lorries in Oxford. I have passed first-time my driving and theory tests for cars, PCV vehicles, Institute of Advanced Motorists (cars, and commercial) and Approved Driving Instructor exams, so I feel I know what I’m talking about.

My total number of fractures due to cycling over the years amounts to over 40 and I admit these were my own fault due to carelessness or recklessness. There’s only so much drivers can be expected to do to try to accommodate cyclists’ errors.

It’s about time people started to take responsibility for their own actions and stopped trying to pass the blame on to someone else for their own errors.

Time has come for bicycles, to be subject to licensing, insurance and a certificate of roadworthiness; their riders ought to be tested and registered.

ROBERT WALKER Church Way Iffley Oxford