From Katherine Parry:-

AS both a keen walker and cyclist, I am sympathetic to both sides in the Wirral Way debate. I must, however, speak up for my boyfriend and I when we use our bikes . . .

On many occasions we have been treated with contempt by walkers, even though we always slow down, make our presence known and give way on approach to other users.

I understand that there are cyclists who could do with learning some manners and the rules of bridleway use, but I think it is unfair that we should all be tarred with the same brush. Ironically, we have found ourselves sharing the cycle paths with walkers several times, but we continue to show the same respect.

I experienced more anti-cyclist behaviour on the second day of the Wirral Show while using the cycle lane between the Derby Pool pub and New Brighton. On several occasions, I had to stop and wait while people strolled along the cycle lane towards me. Once past the lifeguard tower, I was forced off the cycle lane altogether due to lazy motorists who wanted a quick route to the Show and had parked up on the pavement. I refer to the letter from 'Bemused' (Mailbox, July 14), who correctly states that this act is illegal and seriously inconveniences all pavement users.

As a student nurse, I would recommend to the motorists concerned to either park legally, further away and walk or, even better, to stop polluting our atmosphere and travel to the Show by using more environmentally friendly methods, such as public transport, a bicycle or their feet.

Hoylake Road, Moreton.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.