I COMMUTE by bike, and cycle for leisure, and I generally find York is a great city in which to cycle. Most drivers are well aware of cyclists, and many are actively courteous.

However, in the past three days I have had a passenger door opened across the bike lane I was cycling down, a van pull so closely across my path at a junction that I was able to reach out and smack the side to gain attention, and a driver pull out of a side road and almost hit me, because he was looking the other way at an accident that had occurred a few minutes before.

All near misses, and no more harm done than raised blood pressure, but perhaps drivers could remember that they need to be aware of all road users and pedestrians when they drive?

I realise this letter is likely to provoke responses along the lines of "Cyclists always go over red lights, ride on the pavement, never have lights". It's true, some do these things, but I don't and would happily see offenders caught and fined.

The person who opened the car door seemed to think it was my fault for being a cyclist. I respect the law, and expect others to respect me.

To treat one cyclist badly because of the actions of others is like blaming all drivers for the actions of those who speed or drive drunk.

And remember, the more people get out of their cars and cycle, the quicker the rest of the traffic can flow.

Sue Archer,

Cemetery Road, York.

Updated: 11:19 Monday, February 07, 2005