SEEN on Manchester Road (A6) between Watergate roundabout and the Red Lion at Four Lane Ends -- cyclist age between 25-30 years merrily cycling without use of hands, showing his prowess of balance and versatility at the same time in deep conversation on his mobile phone.

Another apparent ploy is, when approaching the traffic signals on red, ride onto the pavement and disappear round the corner, leaving the motorist to obey the code of the traffic signals.

With nights drawing in and dark evenings approaching, I am still waiting to actually see a cyclist displaying lights -- accidents are not always the fault of the motorist, far from it. But anti-reason would like you to believe otherwise.

Cyclists are users of all road systems apart from the motorways and are governed by Highway Code Legislation, the same as motorists. They expect to receive the benefits of such legislation in any eventualities -- and so they should! But what would be wrong with having to be insured and paying a road tax comparative to other road users? Would this in fact improve road safety? By eliminating the two abreast, the cross-bar passengers, and the "I can see in the dark" brigade.

Mr A Harrison

Manchester Road West

Little Hulton, Bolton