Eileen Silverthorne, of Hameldown Way, Newton Abbot, writes:

I write in response to Denis Lewis regarding the risk to pedestrians from the behaviour of some cyclists.

Fifteen years ago I was knocked down on a dangerous shared pedestrian/cycle path which runs along the River Lemon from Salisbury Road to the Town Quay in Newton Abbot.

With blind bends the path changes sides as it leaves the Town Quay. There are no warning signs or speed limits on it. The path is heavily used by children going to and from school and mothers taking toddlers to the local nursery. Elderly residents from the three adjacent sheltered housing sites use the path daily and collisions have occurred as cyclists cannot be heard until they are on top of you.

I understand that one lady was subjected to verbal abuse because her husband collapsed, blocking the path of an oncoming cyclist as she tried to pick him up.

This particular path needs urgent attention as the much applauded new bridge crossing from the Town Quay to Hackney Marshes will cause even heavier use by cyclists.

Among the worst offenders are the cycling clubs who ride on both sides of the path chatting to each other.

Collisions with cyclists go largely unreported. People say no-one listens. It's very true.

I have corresponded with all the authorities over the years. In recent correspondence with Devon County Council I have been told the engineering, design and construction team are working on improvements to cycle access around Newton Abbot but it all depends on finance.

I'm afraid that in my experience the safety of pedestrians is bottom of the list of priorities.

The police, of course, have the power and ability to do something about it. I wrote to them at the time of my accident but had no reply to my letter.

As a driver I care about the safety of cyclists. As a pedestrian I seem to become invisible.