I LOVE motorcycling and cruise the county's roads enjoying the company of other bikers at meeting points such as Squires Milk Bar at Sherburn-in-Elmet.

So why have the police decided to discriminate against motorcyclists as opposed to other road-users ('Police get tough on law-breaking bikers', April 6).

Most motorcyclists are good, law-abiding people who, in many cases, raise money for charities?

All road-users contain an element of people who drive or ride inappropriately and demonstrate poor skills or go too fast.

When I go out on the roads I find myself taking evasive action to avoid possible accidents when a car driver makes an error of judgement while approaching or leaving a road junction. Some travel too close to the vehicle in front and the list goes on.

If two cars collide the result is damage to vehicles in most cases. If a motorcyclist is hit by a vehicle even a minor collision can result in the death of the motorcyclist.

Another reason for motorcyclist accidents is the poor quality of some of North Yorkshire's roads. Hit a poor road surface on two wheels and the rider can suddenly be in big trouble.

I urge the police to stop discriminating against motorcyclists, we all live in an equal society and that is how it should stay.

This could be an ideal opportunity for North Yorkshire police to show the way forward to other forces and make our roads safer by educating drivers, not persecuting them.

P Wright,

Oak Tree Lane,

Haxby,

York.

...I WAS taken aback by Andy Scaife's tirade ('Bikers' group just wants to blame everyone else', Letters, April 1).

If I had a less unusual surname I should have assumed he was writing about a different person and a different organisation.

To put this in context. for the benefit of your non-motorcycling readers, MAG (Motorcycle Action Group) is widely accepted as the leading riders rights group in Britain.

This was achieved after many years by ordinary motorcyclists writing to local, national and European politicians, attending meetings, surgeries, discussion groups and working parties and, occasionally, by direct protest.

Our members include MPs, MEPs, senior police officers and magistrates.

It is highly unlikely that we would attract this calibre of member were we the extremist organisation Mr Scaife suggests.

Debbie Molyneux,

Carr Lane,

York.

Updated: 09:57 Friday, April 09, 2004