SOMEWHERE along the line I must have missed something big in the news!

I was always under the impression that riding a bike was a nice, peaceful pastime and a pleasant form of transport. However, having read the Letters page these past few weeks I now realise that cyclists must indeed be the biggest threat to humanity. The mere suggestion of providing a three-foot corridor for cyclists appears to warrant much weeping , wailing and gnashing of teeth.

It seems that cyclists can't win. If they have a cycle lane they are robbing the motorist of his right of passage, and if they go on the roadway they are in the way of the cars. And if they go on the moors they get abused for that too!

I have seen many people, walking on the cycle side of shared rights-of-way in Bury, actually abusing bike riders who approach them using the correct lane. What is it with these people? Are they jealous of someone riding a bike while they sit in their cars? Let's face it, we are supposed to be more environmentally aware these days so why not give cycling a try (I'm sure lots of us have a bike in the shed. I think I will get mine out and dust it down).

So if you see this fat bloke nervously pedalling this weekend cheer me instead of condemning me for being the spawn of Satan!

BORN AGAIN CYCLIST (perhaps)