R T Semain does well to highlight the growing menace of cyclists on our country roads (D&S Times, June 9).

Coming from Hull, I was, one might say, almost born on a bike. I was certainly cycling competently by seven and have cycled many thousands of miles both here and on the Continent since then, so I am not anti-bike.

From the beginning, my father, himself a keen cyclist, told me: “When cycling with a friend and you hear a vehicle behind you, get into single file.”

No such advice seems to have been given to today’s cyclists. On more than one occasion, when driving up Swaledale, we have had, reluctantly, to move onto the opposite carriageway as the cyclists ahead insisted on remaining three abreast.

But why do today’s cyclists feel the need to hunt in packs? One can only talk to one person at a time, surely.

One Sunday last year, on our way up the dale, we passed 137 cyclists between home and the Leyburn turning.

I understand that, in the 1930s, when cycling for pleasure became increasingly popular, it was suggested that all new roads should have a cycle track alongside, as is done in Holland which has far more cycles than we have and there is no problem between them and other road uses.

The Cyclists Touring Club was adamant in its rejection of the idea. How wrong they were.

With the advent of almost silent electric vehicles, cyclists may have to rethink their use of our country roads. I’m saying nothing – at the moment – about motorcyclists.

Daphne Clarke, Richmond