My wife has epilepsy, if someone brushes against her or she is surprised by something she will sometimes immediately have a seizure or fling her arms out rapidly. Sometimes it is impossible for her to walk in a straight line. This unpredictability means she has not been able to drive for the last 30 years as she is likely to cause an accident. She has to use the footpath and public transport.

If this happens on the footpath then a few scrapes to her and possibly another pedestrian might be all that will result. If it is a bike coming up behind her then the the damage to both could be much more significant.

Riders should never assume that the person on the footpath will or even can act predictably. We support bicycle paths because in the same way cars and bikes do not mix well neither do bikes and pedestrians.

I admit at times we get a bit bolshie – but have not written to the Daily Telegraph about it.

We remind people the law says its illegal to ride on footpaths unless you are under 12 or accompanying a child under 12. We think council should enforce the law and appropriately stencil footpaths in high offense areas to remind people that it is illegal to ride on footpaths. We also ask if she is injured by a bike (without 3rd party insurance) who will cover her costs and raise the issue of registration so bikes can be identified in such situations.

Michael Gormly is welcome down the Lawson Street Redfern footpath any time he likes but if he has his bike with him he should be pushing it not riding it!

He should also keep a careful eye out for my wife both their safety may depend on it.