PHIL SHEPHERDSON won the first prize in the York Writers short article competition, judged by reporter Matthew Woodcock. Inspired by grumpy letters to the Evening Press about cycling, his piece was based on his own hair-raising experience on two wheels, and we reprint it here.

STAY safe and keep driving in your climate-wrecking motor vehicle. As a not-so-keen cyclist, that is my advice after trying to negotiate my way around the two-wheel unfriendly roads of York.

On a typical daily journey to work my first encounter with trouble is St Helen's Road. During the morning rush hour, trying to cycle towards the traffic lights and on to Tadcaster Road is only safe and possible if you walk along the footpath because there is no room at all for cars and cyclists approaching this junction.

When you finally arrive at the lights, a freshly painted green cycle marking on the road is the final insult. Turning left on to Tadcaster Road, danger still lurks because the designated cycle track is littered with parked cars and road works.

Approaching The Mount, one has to boldly go amongst the Clingons, sorry, I meant "clinging to the kerb" buses, because now the cycle track is a bus lane.

Once at the lights a deep breath is taken because ahead is the five-headed lane monster of Blossom Street. Those who dare win here, because for the cyclist, this must be the most dangerous road in York. Lost amongst the swirling traffic, all my skills as a seasoned two-wheel driver are tested to the limit as I try and negotiate my way into the middle lane.

Another recently applied cycle marking at the junction is laughable because as the lights change to green, cars with their greater speed give you no time at all to proceed safely.

This obvious danger is compounded when approaching Micklegate Bar. You are nearly squashed by these baying vehicles who will attempt to pass while you are going through. A quart into a pint pot has a better chance.

If you like to shake rattle and roll, cycling down Micklegate's cobbles is a tearjerker. Bollards! Beware this obstacle at the bottom of the hill. It is worth noting that on your return journey there is no safety room at all for a car to drive past you and this errant lump of yellow plastic.

Beware Coppergate with its narrow squeeze towards the lights. Mocking you here (if you make it) is another wretched green cycle patch. Beware squatting "Clingons".

Approaching work I feel mentally exhausted with a growing resolution that perhaps tomorrow I will take the car.

But wait! What is this I see on yonder Hob Moor? A cycle track? Bliss it is, to meander along this path peacefully watching clouds and dog walkers.

This fool's dream is shattered as you are cruelly regurgitated on to Tadcaster Road. Upon your return journey, certain death is risked trying to cross this vehicle-infested racetrack in the vain attempt to reach the Hob Moor cycle track and safety.

However it must be said that City Of York Council is trying some improvements by the addition of traffic lights here. Surely the whole point of cycling is tranquillity away from the maddening crowd of cars and buses?

The final and most disheartening insult is why I started biking to work in the first place. I am sure you have seen the adverts on the back of buses about cycling for fitness? As I am slightly overweight that was my motivation to take up cycling.

I have actually put on weight and the cold air makes me wheeze like a 60-a-day smoker!

Why bike to work?

Phil Shepherdson lives in Woodthorpe, York

Updated: 10:28 Saturday, March 20, 2004