AS A road user, my intention is not to castigate one type of road user or to suggest that all cyclists are faultless.

It is, however, to request more consideration and respect for each other.

Last week I had a significant incident with a car that left me unconscious, injured, but not ultimately ‘life-threatened.’ I will refrain from details, as the matter is ‘ongoing’ and I feel lucky to be alive.

It happened when I would least have anticipated it and lasted seconds.

A cyclist, father, employee, son, car-driving, middle-aged man is sent sprawling on the tarmac because of a few seconds of, may I suggest, inattention and inconsiderate car manoeuvring.

As a human being, I admit to occasional minor errors as a road user of any form, but I am not dangerous, do not believe I am any more important than other road users and am really aware of the dangers we pose to each other, especially with the pot-holed routes around the Stroud area and beyond.

More recently, I have restrained myself from reporting post cycle tales of inconsiderate, ridiculous driving to my family.

Sometimes, a trip/ ride is trouble free, other times there are several ‘incidents.’ Some drivers, do voice and drive intimidatingly closely.

What cyclist hasn’t heard “get out the way, you non-tax paying *******” or been overtaken with inches of space between handle bar and car body on an open road with space or time to spare.

I’ve also, like you, seen people riding bikes do irresponsible, stupid things.

Please, I ask let’s not judge each other by the mode of transport we use or make meaningless generalisations at any given time, but lets keep our road behaviour, decent, respectful and most importantly safe.

I will assume the driver last week intended no deliberate harm, I don’t think that’s always good to assume, but with the number of mobile phones, sat navs etc, I seen being used by drivers daily, it only takes a few seconds and somebody gets hurt.

I know it hurts.

As car drivers, we are offered some significant protection, cyclists will always come off far worse, that’s fact.

Lets remember we’re individuals, who out of the car, or off the bicycle, might actually ‘ get on’.

Looking forward to some safer cycling and driving experiences.

Jim Beales

Stonehouse