IN response to your article “Police highlight safe span for cycles” (D&S Times, May 19), may I request an equally safe span for walkers and horse riders from cyclists?

Those of us who live and work in the small rural villages of North Yorkshire are regularly plagued by lycra clad cyclists taking over the country lanes, some of whom seem determined to cause as much annoyance as possible.

In recent weeks two particularly nasty incidents seem worth reporting:

  • A villager who was walking her dogs (both on leads) had abuse and foul language hurled at her by a group of cyclists who deemed her and her dogs to be in the way;
  • A pensioner walking on a lane was overtaken by a solitary cyclist who passed so close he caught the walker’s elbow. No warning was given by the cyclist. Without using abusive language or questioning the IQ of the cyclist, the pensioner asked for the same space as was demanded by cyclists. The mid-twenties rider returned to confront the walker starting with a torrent of abuse, followed up with a threat to break his legs and the final act was to spit at the pensioner.

It seems every motorist has a tale to tell concerning cyclists and their lack of consideration for other road users.

Country roads are not the personal velodrome of cyclists and many are single track so it is no wonder that motorists are becoming frustrated by cyclists either solitary or in groups refusing to move over to allow vehicles to pass.

All agree that cyclists are vulnerable, but no more so than walkers and horse riders when passed by cyclists in silent running mode. No warning, no bell.

One wonders if the behaviour of cyclists would improve if a method of identifying the rider by a registration number shown prominently would deter the more belligerent members of the cycling community who know full well that they cannot be easily identified. This gives them a licence to act as they please with virtually no possibility of being called to account for their actions.

What about a compulsory insurance scheme to cover accidents caused by these road users?

Consideration for other road users is a two-way street.

Perhaps cyclists would be treated better if they spared a thought for motorists, walkers and horse riders alike.

R T Semain, West Rounton, Northallerton

IN reply to Dave Dalton’s comments (D&S Times, June 2) about my letter concerning cyclists not obeying road rules, he knew what I meant about them not paying road tax and insurance.

As to his comments about the Highway Code’s instructions on how to overtake cyclists, they are common sense adhered to by all drivers. But cyclists seem to think they have a God-given right to take up as much of the carriageway as they want.

Dave Dalton states that Rule 66 of the Highway Code says cyclists should not ride more than two abreast, yet the subject of the original complaint in my letter was that they ride more than two abreast, sometimes four abreast.

I have driven for 50 accident free years, not been stopped by the police for any offence and driven many types of and including specialist vehicles.

On Saturday afternoon, I was driving along the A172 when a cyclist pulled out of the Potto junction without looking.

When he realized several cars were approaching from his left, he did a very quick U-turn back to the junction, but he caused all the cars, including myself to brake.

If his action had caused a vehicular accident, I bet he would not have stopped and admitted it was his fault. I rest my case.

CP Atkinson, Great Ayton

CAN I comment on Dave Dalton’s letter on cycling (D&S Times, June 2). As an occasional cyclist and a motorist I have seen disgraceful behaviour on both sides.

I am greatly concerned in particular with an issue in Swainby where on numerous occasions I have seen cyclists tearing down Shepherd Hill exceeding the speed limit and taking the bend near the entrance to the village far too wide, narrowly missing oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

I fear a fatality is just a matter of time, but all traffic is guilty of the same offence.

I would also like to agree with Trevor Mason’s comments about Hutton Rudby doctors’ surgery (D&S Times, June 2).

The surgery offers a fantastic service and has helped me manage my long term illness for more than 20 years since moving to this area.

People should try living in Middlesbrough, like my aged mother, where you are lucky to see a doctor within a month such is the demand.

Don Smith, Heathwaite, Swainby