I FIND myself surprised that York has won national acclaim as the cycling city of Great Britain (October 22).

Although it has the facilities in the form of tying-up points and cycle lanes, I've been hit by cars three times, a delivery lorry once and had several pedestrians deliberately walk out in front of me so I have had to fall off because I couldn't break in time. Every time, I have been keeping to the Highway Code and cycling in my designated lane.

I cycle a lot but, of late, I have stopped cycling to the city centre because I find it a gruelling task to avoid pedestrians who are convinced that cars can hit them but bikes will stop to let them pass.

Maybe before York is given its national acclaim as being a cycling city, its inhabitants should be made aware of the fact that because it's a cycling city, there will be cycles.

Sian Mapp,

Hospital Fields,

Fulford, York.

Updated: 10:18 Monday, October 25, 2004