Make the guilty party pay for the life-long care that Simon will now need as a result of this cretin's totally irresponsible behaviour.
When will society realise that a motor car is a lethal weapon, every bit as much as a gun. Would the courts have been so lenient if Simon had been attacked with a baseball bat and been left similarly brain damaged? I don't think so, but is there really that much difference?

David Catlow, Macclesfield,

Real Justice would mean the perpetrator being locked up until the victim returns to his normal (before the incident) self.

But of course in Britain today we do not have any justice at all, only laws.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Simon.

Anil Chatterjee, Manchester,

My view is that a permanent driving ban should be imposed on anyone who fails to stop after a so-called "accident". Surely Mr. Bowman did not "accidentally" get into a car to drive? Surely he did not accidentally fail to stop? These were deliberate acts and the punishment should reflect this. Taking away someones "licence to kill" for the rest of their life would be more effective than any piddling little jail sentence.

Brian, Bethesda, Gwynedd

I'm puzzled at the comment in the report that Simon was wearing a "safety helmet" . What does that have to do with anything? When hit by the car he and his bike were thrown more than 100 yards along the road, which gives you an idea of the speed involved. Unfortunately many people seem to think that cycle helmets will protect them in the event of being hit by a car but in reality no "safety helmet" is going to offer any protection against that. Would we be expected to be less upset at the disgraceful leniency shown to the drunken lout who wrecked his life if Simon had not been wearing a hat? No doubt Bowman's lawyer would have tried to argue that Simon contributed to his own injuries and his insurers, if he has any, would have tried to wriggle out of paying for the damage he has done to Simons's life.

Rob, London,

In answer to James Cameron-Turner, what is "accidental" about some pissed-up idiot deciding to drive and then mowing down someone (and it could have been a pedestrian or another driver) who just happens to be in the way?

I was run down with my children (then aged 2 &4) while walking on the pavement by an unlicenced, untaxed drug dealing scum-bag. Thanks to the incompetence of Cambridgeshire plod, he walked away with just a caution, not that this made any difference, as he was driving agian (still unlicenced) wthin 2 days of the accident. No consolation to my daughter, who will continue to suffer health problems as a consequence of this "accident" for the rest of her life.

The problem is, of course, that existing laws are neither observed nor enforced. Yet another example of "rights" being seen as more important than responsibilities.

Martin Magnago, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire

When will the government realise that cyclists are getting killed and maimed, and the perpetrators are walking away with little more than a ticking off?

I knew Simon, he was (and is) a fantastic bloke who really encouraged me in my cycling. Even though abuse and attacks on cyclists are rising, I still get a great deal of pleasure out of it - and I thank Simon for that.

Pete (Driver and Cyclist)

Pete W, Swadlincote, England

I am the brother of Simon Doughty and as you can imagine I am devastated by what happened on 26th Oct. The family has been through traumatic times, right from the initial phone call from the police and in the months after, there was a fair amount of "political" pressure from one hospital.
However we have met some remarkable people who have helped Simon on his journey from intensive care to where he now is resident. To those people I say thank you for saving my brother's life. To Simon friends and he has many on our small planet I say keep in contact.
John Bowman the perpertrator was deemed to have justice served upon him.
Looking at prior letters I think Jenn from Sydney, Australia sums it up nicely.
Mark Doughty

Mark Doughty, Oswestry, U.K

Simon is my friend. At the time of his assault he was also my clubmate, my mentor and my cycling coach. Until this moment, I haven’t felt any anger about the incident. All have I wanted and hoped for is for my friend to recover from his injuries.

I think this is the appropriate moment for the anger to start. Not with the pitiful, stupid and cowardly moron who wrote off a life that was spent helping other people, but with the Policy Makers and enforcers of the law that allow such acts to go de-facto unpunished.

Of course we all knew from the very start that this would be final outcome; Simon’s injuries and the impact they had on him and his family to be treated as incidental to a handful of ‘technical motoring offences’. But it hasn’t stopped the sickening feeling of injustice.

Gavin Gilbert
Archer RC,

Gavin Gilbert, London W5, UK

Perhaps now The Times editorial staff will understand why many a cyclist didn't see the funny side of Matthew Parris's recent article where he 'humorously' suggested killing cyclists... Attacks on cyclists are all too real and the leniency shown to motorists who kill or maim is all too apparent.

Helen Simmons, Norfolk, UK

You think cyclists have it tough? It he's done this to a motorcyclist he'd have only got fined.

paul, Milton Keynes,

Absolutely disgusting. 18 months? Yet another example as to why these ludicrous 'dangerous driving' laws should be reviewed so that the sentence can actually reflect the crime.

Joe, Bristol, UK