A (text) message to cyclists

Text driver jailed for bike death

A motorist who was texting on her mobile phone when she hit and killed a cyclist has been sentenced to four years in prison. Coultas had earlier been found guilty at Southampton Crown Court of causing death by dangerous driving. The 25-year-old from Hythe, Hampshire, was banned from driving for five years. The cyclist, Jordan Wickington, 19, died from head injuries when he was struck by Kiera Coultas' car after he went through a red light in Southampton in February 2007.  Following the crash, Mr Wickington, of Netley, Hampshire, who had not been wearing a helmet, was taken to Southampton General Hospital where he later died.

The cyclists family said after the sentencing that they hoped his death would be a lesson for other drivers. Yeah, I agree. But there's is surely also another lesson here isn't there? One for cyclists?

• When you are cycling you are a road user not a pedestrian.
• Traffic signals apply to you just as they apply to cars.
• Cars, vans and lorries are big dangerous pieces of machinery moving at speed so you might like to think about wearing a crash helmet.