OH dear... "Cyclists should be charged for using the roads because they are nothing but a nuisance and create problems on the road," writes David Reynolds (May 3). A case of sour grapes if ever I read one.

I'd like to clear up a couple of points for Mr Reynolds.

There's no such thing as "road tax". I presume he means vehicle excise duty, which is a tax on vehicle ownership, not road usage.

He may also be surprised to learn that a lot of cyclists are also car owners, which blows his "cyclists don't pay road tax" theory out of the water.

I pay income tax and council tax, portions of which are spent on road maintenance. I'm paying for the upkeep of these facilities, so I'll use them. If I stop cycling, can I claim a rebate?

I seriously doubt David Reynolds has ridden any significant distance. So as myself and a couple of others will be riding to Easingwold on May 9, I'd like to invite Mr Reynolds to join us for our journey back to York. A spell at the sharp end might stop him spewing such rubbish in future.

Dr Simon Ward,

Barons Crescent,

Copmanthorpe, York.

...IN response to the old chestnut raised by David Reynolds, I would like to make a few points.

First, as he is so critical of other road users, I hope I can assume he is a paragon of virtue himself? That means obeying the speed limit, unlike the majority of motorists.

As a regular commuter by bicycle, unfortunately I do not have the time to write a letter to the press every time I am put at risk by careless and inconsiderate drivers - it happens too often.

If he would care to stand at Micklegate Bar (and probably anywhere else in the city where there are traffic lights), he will be able to watch a large number of his fellow motorists proceeding through red lights.

Does the fact that most, if not all, have paid road tax make this excusable?

If I did not commute by bicycle, I would drive - one more car blocking the streets.

Robert Munro,

Middlethorpe Grove,

Dringhouses,

York.

Updated: 11:28 Wednesday, May 05, 2004