I WRITE in disgust with reference to "Bikers operation reaches target" (August 29). What target is it exactly? To reduce the number of accidents on our roads by making bikers feel they can't ride their machines without being stopped and fined for minor offences?

Perhaps the police should realise that the reason some of us fit illegal loud exhausts and coloured headlamps is to make us more noticeable to the masses of ignorant car drivers that don't see us on our standard machines.

I'm in total agreement that something needs to be done about the number of accidents, but if reduction comes about by alienating bikers, then why don't they just revoke all our licences now? Problem solved, no more deaths from bikers on our roads.

I hope North Yorkshire Police can see sense and realise that this is a two-way issue, and start focusing a little more on the reckless driving that endangers our lives every time we venture out for a ride.

Rob Paylor,

Kingsmoor Road,

Stockton-on-the-Forest,

York.

...AS a biker I am extremely pleased there were no casualties over the last Bank Holiday, it must have been due to Operation Victory handing out tickets for number plates and exhaust systems.

I agree something should be done, but targeting number plates etc seems hardly a master plan for saving lives, and will only increase the resentment among bikers. Imagine the outcry if car drivers were targeted in this way.

Also the reason there were not as many bikers out, is we all went somewhere else!

Ian Naylor,

Wold Road,

Pocklington,

York.

Updated: 11:48 Saturday, September 07, 2002