I LOVE the countryside, grass verges and hedgerows but have often thought that the wider verges, especially along the York outer ring road, waste space.

A two-foot strip of Tarmac along these wide spaces might be ideal for bikes.

My usual journeys from North Lane to New Earswick, Huntington, Monks Cross and into York could all be by bike - on a good day and with a following wind.

Glimpses of this idea can be seen along the A64 from Copmanthorpe to Tadcaster, on the A64 towards Whitwell Hill and, amazingly, the appearance of a smart new cycle path from just outside the DEFRA buildings at Sand Hutton, along the A64 to Hazelbush Crossing; wonder who suggested and funded that?

I commend this idea to the house and leave it to the more professional bikers/drivers and letter writers amongst us to discuss.

Pamela Egan,

North Lane,

Malton Road, York.

Updated: 12:29 Monday, July 15, 2002