Please can we have a truce.

I can either walk, cycle or drive to work, so I think I am qualified to comment.

I do not cycle on footpaths, but the way many motorists drive it is no wonder that some cyclists are forced off the roads.

The worst drivers in my experience are those who drive for a living - the taxi and bus drivers - and the bendy buses (not just the ftr) are potentially lethal.

I have found that they have no concept of where the back half of the bus is when they pass cyclists, having had to take evasive action myself on several occasions.

Pedestrians are not blameless either, as they have a tendency to step in to the road and then, maybe, look to see if something is coming.

Perhaps if one day the taxi/bus drivers tried cycling round York they might have a bit more understanding of how their driving affects others - and York is supposed to be cycle friendly.

C Page, Gale Lane, Acomb, York.


* I've just returned from holiday in Germany. At several city and town centres that I visited, motor vehicles were completely banned, and others used rising bollards to restrict vehicle entry to residents and other authorised users.

At all sites, pedal cyclists were allowed to access much of these otherwise restricted areas on a "round the clock" basis.

So what has York to learn from its European neighbours, as plans are publicly mooted to extend the city's footstreets?

Firstly, the Department for Transport (DfT) issued advice to local authorities way back in 1993, which advises that cycling can be widely permitted in car-free areas, without detriment to pedestrians.

It also advises that a variety of regulatory and design solutions exist, to enable such "shared use" space to be used safely and effectively.

Secondly, the humble bicycle usually gets its users closer to their final destination that any other vehicle. For short trips this offers a very competitive end to end journey time. This must not be eroded by new restrictions, otherwise cycle use will decline.

So what would cycle lobbyists like to see? Firstly, that initial traffic orders for any additional "pedestrianisation" are worded to restrict motor vehicles, rather than "vehicles".

This will permit 24-hour cycling, and enable the DfT advice to be properly trialled in these areas.

The initial ban on cycling in Deangate was similarly reversed for a successful experimental period, and now is permitted "round the clock" on a delineated route through the area.

So our second wish is that the planned "piazza" area by the Minster will retain a delineated cycle route, that could be engineered to a standard higher then the present painted markings.

The CTC (Cyclists' Touring Club) looks forward to participating in formal consultation on the proposals, in due course.

Paul Hepworth, Press officer, CTC North Yorkshire, Windmill Rise, Holgate, York