I WAS interested to read the letter asking cyclists to use their bells when passing pedestrians, as I have just returned from northern Italy, where the three cities in which we stayed seemed to have no hard and fast rules for determining which road users had precedence.

This easy-going attitude did not lead to chaos and injury, however, despite the very complicated relationships between roads, the occasional cycle tracks, loads of pedestrian crossings and pavements.

I could not help contrasting this with the demeanour of many cyclists on our Malvern Hills roads and tracks, who affect a lordly indifference to other road users’ needs.

This has been mentioned frequently by hills walkers who have been frightened by the unannounced presence of a fast cyclist at their backs when on narrow paths.

Other examples of inconsiderate behaviour are the large numbers of cyclists labouring slowly up the Wyche Road, with its six dangerous bends, rather than taking to the footpath, which is 99 per cent free of any foot traffic.

And in the winter, groups with their proud new lamps pointing horizontally directly forward, too bright to allow oncoming drivers to see anything, due to their dazzling effect.

Consideration for other people is what should be emphasised when children are cycle-trained at school, and then reinforced by parents and teachers whenever possible.

George Parsons

West Malvern