I AGREE with Graham Thornton's views on the attitude of many two-wheeled road users (September 17).

As an ex-biker myself I have always treated motorcyclists with caution and courtesy, yet time and again I find myself being tailgated by one of the matching-bike-and-leathers brigade, itching to overtake just as I am thinking of indicating to turn right. If the rider does not see my indicator, I may inadvertently be the cause of his death.

Time and again I drive around a tight bend to be confronted by a high-speed bike haring towards me on my side of the road, having taken the bend way too wide.

If rider training organisations encouraged new riders to treat motorists with caution and courtesy, instead of "the enemy", I may be tempted back on to two wheels again.

Of course a car can do far more damage to bike and rider than the other way round; but why do statistics show that 70 per cent of motorcycle accidents involve no other vehicle?

Fiona Petrou,

Main Street,

Heslington, York.

Updated: 09:56 Tuesday, October 14, 2003