They whinge when safety cameras catch them breaking the law, while the guerrilla wingset cameras alight.Second, motorists are the last people to talk about abusing the pavement. I am no defender of irresponsible cyclists, but the horror stories aren’t true – the evidence of deaths and injuries does not exist. Hardly responsible, when even a modest increase in speed reduces the chances of survival for pedestrians involved in a collision.Most groups, faced with such repeat offending, would shut up Not motorists. Figures show that at least 60 per cent of motorists exceed the 30mph limit every day.

They – or their granny, or someone they met in Starbucks – had a near miss with a Lycra lout on the pavement.Like the delusion that they are “beleaguered” by high taxes, speed cameras, congestion charging and other petty restraints, so the motorists’ perception of cyclists is a peculiar distortion of reality.Firstly, no cyclist needs a lesson from drivers on breaking the law. What is it about cyclists that angers motoring commentators so much?

What is it about cyclists that angers motoring commentators so much? Hardly a day goes by without readers of the national Press being treated to another diatribe about the lawlessness and general misbehaviour of one of the country’s most abused minorities, such as that by Ruth Brandon in these pages recently.
We are berated asholier-than-thou Green warriors with no care for rules and regulations. In the same breath, our friends in the 4×4s seek an alliance with pedestrians (as if). Never buy a car like this, without that.*Please write to Car Choice, Features, Independent House, 191 Marsh Wall, London E14 9RS, or e-mail James Ruppert at carchoice independent.co.uk giving your age, address and contact number, and details of the type of vehicle you are interested in.. The chances of finding this extra may be slim but it is not impossible. Anyway, the electrically adjustable seats fitted as standard are extremely comfortable in their own right.We have always found the 7-Series to be a very relaxing drive. In particular, it is very quiet and occupants arrive refreshed at their destination.Mindful of high running costs, although neither a Saab or Volvo is cheap car to run, we would choose the smallest engined model, the 728i (which may struggle to late 20mpg).The level of equipment is very comprehensive and, like the Saab and Volvo, depreciation is savage, but even more so for what is a hyper-luxury vehicle.A glance at the small ads turns up plenty of private examples comfortably below £12,000, and that should secure a late 1990s model with a full BMW service history.

A 2001 model in the small ads, a 2.4 SE automatic with 79,000 miles, was on offer for £7,995, although the warranty was not as comprehensive as the Saab. The Volvo is great on long journeys and a test drive would decide the matter.A car for the heartAccording to chiropractors we have spoken to, one of the very best seats ever fitted to a car was the orthopaedic one offered as a £2,000 option on the BMW 7-Series. The 2.0 turbo is perfectly adequate and many examples are around.At a specialist we trust, Saaben (01753 647 657), there were two 2001 saloons with 69,000 miles and 31,000 miles at £10,350 and £10,495 respectively, which is great value.The Volvo S80 is also a very able and comfortable vehicle, although not around in such large numbers. The 9-5 rides superbly well, is refined and comfortable, especially on motorways. It should be possible to see equal amounts of both legs between the arms. In particular we have a very small driver who needs a proper height adjustable seat and for the first time can see clearly without the aid of a cushion.The 9-5 has supremely comfortable seats that adjust for height, but also provide excellent support on long journeys.