LIKE Colin Vause, I too was interested to read the letter from Andy Whitworth, (Mailbag February 7) concerning the coroner’s comments surrounding the tragic death of a cyclist in collision with a van at a roundabout in Dronfield.

However, I do feel that the “breath-taken” Mr Whitworth, (a cyclist himself no doubt) is a little too keen off the mark in condemning coroner Catherine Mason for having the temerity to suggest drivers do not always see cyclists. Mrs Mason is only reiterating a fact which is acknowledged in the Highway Code.

The Highway Code points out that cyclists have a duty in making themselves more easily seen by wearing high visibility clothing and anticipating vehicles which may not be aware of their presence. The code also recommends that suitable head protection be worn and advises that cyclists dismount and walk around busy roundabouts.

Had the unfortunate cyclist Eric Sharpe observed these points of the code perhaps we may have been spared this tragedy and the typically pious response from the cycling puritans – blaming everyone else but themselves.

Adam G Foyle

Honley