Dirty Protest…

Retired civil servant dog owner vs Cambridge University lecturer on a cycle. Who is best?

There’s only one way to find out!

Monica Lentin, mitigating, said Currall, often "felt anxious" while walking her dog along the path twice a day because of cyclists speeding past. She claimed that she was "provoked" by Mr Ramage, who also lives in Trumpington, because he got too close to her.

Mrs Lentin said: "I think many people who are pedestrians in Cambridge would agree that having cyclists and pedestrians together doesn't work.

"The pedestrians do feel extremely harassed and I feel the same way myself.

"What makes it worse is you get lots of young men with powerful bikes riding at speed without any conscience that older people can't get out of the way easily."

Cyclists with consciences are, clearly, few and far between!

She added: "These young people come hurtling towards her [Currall] and they do not give way to her.

"She did not see him [Ramage] coming in the opposite direction and he was not stopping for her which certainly in the olden days, a man on a bike would have got off and let her through."

When we had chivalry and concern for others, rather than the overweening sense of eco-righteous self-importance two wheels seems to give some cyclists…

And rather than be discommoded by her arrest and trial, Ms Currall saw an opportunity. You may want to get some popcorn for this:

Mrs Lentin used the hearing to question what she saw as favourable treatment to cyclists over pedestrians by Cambridge City Council. She said: "The council seems to be pursuing a policy that bicycles are king here in Cambridge and have rights over everyone else." Currall said after the hearing:

"It is ridiculous that this case ended up in court. A lot of people will be applauding me for what I did because cyclists can be such a pain in the neck.

"The path used to be just for pedestrians, but the council has now changed the rules to allow cyclists. They tear down that path at high speed and it is your problem if you are in the way.

"I have had problems with this chap before. He came towards me and was saying, 'Get out of my way'. "

"He was about 6ft 2ins tall and was wearing a helmet and all the protective gear. I was not wearing any kind of protection.

"He told me he was going to call the police, so I was sarcastic and said, 'Are you going to call your Mummy as well?'

"I am not scared of speaking out about cyclists. A while ago, I bought half a dozen cycle bells and handed them out to cyclists in the hope that they would use them."

Ms Currall is clearly a lady of what might be termed ‘old school’, while Mr Ramage is very much a ‘new man’:

Mr Ramage said: "I would not change my route, but I do go down there with a lot of trepidation.

"I'm not physically intimidated, I know I won't suffer any serious injury, but the mental anguish with having to deal with an encounter, that's what it's really all about. I have encountered her with my kids and it's upsetting for them."

Oh, man up! Did the little old lady make you feel emasculated? There, there, dry those eyes!

Will some music help?