I AGREE that ten per cent of cyclists don't have lighting, ride through red lights and flaunt the law in general. But the other 90 per cent do abide by the law, have working cycle lights, wear bright fluorescent clothing and stick to the Highway Code.

I wish the same percentage terms could be said of vehicle drivers. Never forget cars can kill and often do.

While carrying out a survey during the last two days around the Heworth area, I have noted vehicles vastly exceeding the speed limit; some with broken or faulty lights; drivers negotiating roads and even roundabouts one- handed, while speaking on a mobile phone; drivers without seat belts; driving with unsecured infants, jumping, standing on the back seat. I even saw two drivers on East Parade with small dogs sat on their lap. Let's clamp down on all road users, not just cyclists.

R D Watson,

Elmfield Terrace,

Malton Road, York.

...AS well as using lights, cyclists can generally increase their visibility at night by using reflective materials on themselves and their bicycles.

In 1984, the Transport and Road Re-search Laboratory evaluated conspicuity aids for cyclists. They found that at night-time a high-performance, retro-reflective strip 35mm wide across the back of a cyclist (such as a Sam Browne belt) will be readily seen at adequate distances by approaching drivers, even under glare conditions.

In daylight, reflective belts aren't very effective - the most effective clothing then is a bright jacket. It is detected at the greatest distance and has the best effect on overtaking traffic. The percentage of vehicles passing close to a cyclist wearing such a jacket was less than half that for a rider wearing a dark jacket.

Cyclists should think how powerfully any reflector flares in a car headlight and then make the most of this free light source.

Edgar Newton,

Melbourne Street, York.

Updated: 10:28 Friday, December 28, 2001