CLAIMS by the leader of a patient watchdog that “arrogant” cyclists could injure people in Queen Street have been criticised in a furious response.

Jacquie Pearce-Gervis, of Patient Voice, had responded to a consultation on plans to pedestrianise Queen Street by saying cyclists – who would still be allowed to use the street – could be involved in accidents with older people.

However, of those who voted in a poll on the Oxford Mail website 70 per cent said cyclists should not be allowed to use the road if it was pedestrianised.

Nevertheless, a number of commentators on the Oxford Mail website criticised her comments.

Dick Wolff said: “Statements like ‘cyclists are notoriously arrogant and blind’ don’t help.

“Cyclists are also pedestrians and many are drivers.

“They’re not an alien species.”

Another user, Andy1975, said: “Can we not stop these ridiculous generalisations about people as if they are defined by the mode of transport they use?”

Oxford Mail:

Oxfordshire County Council is consulting on plans to fully pedestrianise the street by October 2017 in time for the completion of the Westgate Shopping Centre.

It would see buses permanently removed from the street but cyclists would be allowed to travel up it in both directions.

Some commenters agreed at least to some extent with Ms Pearce-Gervis’s comments.

Janet J said: “Probably would be fairer to say ‘some’ cyclists are arrogant and blind.

“The proof can be observed in Queen Street any time between 10am and 6pm where the above described cyclists can be seen weaving in and out of pedestrians.

“However there are also cyclists observing the signs and wheeling their bikes through.”

Sue Rigg took to Facebook to say: "I have just asked two cyclists very politely to get off their bikes and walk in Queen Street after being clipped by one. Did they? No.

On the Oxford Mail website, Houseox said: “It is clearly wrong to claim that all cyclists are arrogant and blind.

“However there is a reckless and careless minority of cyclists in Oxford that does injure and harass pedestrians.”

Sushila Dhall, chairwoman of Oxford Pedestrians Association, had earlier said the plans would work if there was courtesy on both sides from pedestrians and cyclists.