“After reading all the comments on this story. i agree with some and disagree with others. what has this story got to do with car drivers driving at speed. its about a young lad getting knocked over by a cyclist riding on the footpath. i bet the people commenting on this story dont have children of there own or dont ride bikes. i also want to know do any of you know really what happened on that day. really if you did would you still be commenting like you are. i feel sorry for the family that had to be put though this reading all the comments that everyone has put nasty comments”

“Whilst I do not advocate cyclists using the footpath, I wonder how many of the ranting drivers in this comments section have ever gone over the speed limit...even once? then what right do you have to judge others illegal manouvers? Some users verbal tirade about cyclists is simply ill informed, bigotted rubbish masquerading as 'fact'?!, cyclists are a minority group, whose activities on the road are no better or worse in general that all other road users but who are in a more vulnerable situation. Would you be allowed to rant about any other social minority in the same way? with so much animosity or obvious disgust?

This was an awful accident which could have been avoided (can't most) perpetrated by one selfish individual who could have quite easily also have been a skateboarder, mobility scooter or any other user of the footpath.”

“Whilst I do not support cyclists wholesale use of pavements...I wonder how many ranting drivers on here have broken the speed limit.....even once, so lets not rant about illigalities and get off your high horse and see this for what it was. An avoidable accident (aren't they all?) by ONE indisriminate individual, he could just have easily been a skateboarder, a mobility scooter user or one of any other minority group which chooses to use the footpaths.”

“Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians all need to be able to move about in safety. The mortality figures show that cars and particularly lorries are very dangerous, and cyclists and children are the groups most likely to be killed in accidents. I am amazed how blase people are about the number of deaths on the roads. I find it hard to understand how vehicles with 'bull bars' on them are allowed on the roads, when these are known to increase the risk of death in the event collision, similarly high fronted vehicles like SUVs increase the risk of death after impact. Or people driving and using mobiles, which is associated with higher rates of accident than drink driving.”

“I know that some people will disagree with me, but I think that most cyclist now are just an undisciplined mob.

Yes, there are a few law abiding exceptions, but not many and in reality, ALL should be.

They disregard the rules of the road, as if they don't apply to cyclist ie:- zig-zag through traffic, ignore traffic lights, ride on footpaths and pedestrian area's, no lights, lights? what lights? if they use the cycle lanes, they ride in any direction instead of in the same direction as road traffic.

I know for a fact that in Germany and Holland (I don't know about France, I don't like the "frogs," so I don't go there)cyclist ride in designated cycle lanes on footpaths (and on the correct side, as in the direction of road traffic) and pedestrians keep to 'their' side of the footpath.

We need DISCIPLINE, DISCIPLINE, DISCIPLINE and RESPECT, RESPECT RESPECT, and this should be taught at schools at an early age, by teachers and the police, and adult offenders should be MADE to attend a road safety course.”

“after reading this story yesterday i was totally shocked at the punishment this selfish man received. i cant believe that a 29 year old man should feel the need to ride on the path. if the roads were that dangerous then surely no-one would be riding bikes in GY. the pain and suffering that this young child has been through at such a young age is totally unneccesary and all down to a selfish, reckless man. he knew he was breaking the law and still continued to do so, without a thought for others.the fine and punishment do not fit the crime.”

“After reading this story yesterday. i was horrifed and disgufted at the punishment this man recieved for a reckless crime. My daughter rides her bike to school every day without incident and has not once had the need to ride on the path.Therefore i was horrifed to read that a 29 year old man felt the need to do so thus putting pedestrians lifes at risk.Being a mother myself i can imagine the pain and suffering that his family have had to endure was horrendous. To think this child had to have reconstructive surgery and had to endure a court case at such young age is disgusting.”

“I am a worried parent of 2 young children. i think the punishment that cyclist got is not right he had to have spend time in hospital down to some one braking the law and his family must have gone though alot to while all thios was going on. i think the cyclist should have been punished more than what he got if we drove our cars wreakless and hit someone we would get more of a punishment then he did. i feel sorry for his family and hope he is feeling better soon.”

“Firstly, I wish the young boy who was injured a speedy and complete recovery...

It is both ILLEGAL and DANGEROUS to ride along the pavements, but there are so many people riding bikes along the pavements that it seems to be becomming the norm in the Gy area.

This boy's mother is right, a clamp down is well overdue! But i'm concerned that it will be the usual case of a limited clampdown for one day only for
publicity purposes - like cycling in the Victoria st. pedestrianised zone.

I sympathise with those who say that cycling on the road is dangerous, due to the behaviour of a small number of motorists, but that is a separate issue - don't turn this into another cyclist v motorist debate.

If you don't feel safe on the roads then maybe you should undetake cycle training to teach you how to ride safely on the roads. I'm old enough to
have taken a cycling proficiency course when I was at school, but how many schools today still run these courses today? We should be teaching our
children how to ride safely.

I ride my bike on the roads of Gy on a daily basis but I won't use some of the designated cycle paths, especially the ones located on busy pavements because of the risk of injuring the unwary pedestrian (and as far as i'm
aware these cycleways are NOT COMPULSORY) and are often an inconvenience for
the cyclists - expecting them to dismount at junctions and roundabouts, weaving up and down pavements etc...

As well as prosecuting the law-breakers, we should be doing more to educate cyclists and motorists alike.

The local council also needs to do more to improve road surfaces - some roads are a minefield of potholes (and don't blame the cold snap for all the pot-holes) or badly eroded surfacing.

The crux of the matter is that cycles are NOT taked seriously as a form of transport, but used properly they are often more convenient than public transport and an enjoyable leisure pursuit.”

“About time - now do something about the morons who come off the Pyewipe onto the West Marsh ignoring every rule in the book!”