YOUR feature on cyclists who ride without lights (December 12) emphasised cyclists' responsibilities, but it only told part of the story.

Cyclists have to be visible, but drivers have to look and, most important of all, react appropriately when they see them.

On the morning after your article appeared I was involved in a potentially serious incident at the Monkgate roundabout. A car simply pulled out in front of me while I was going round the roundabout.

It was dark, but the excellent street lighting in that area meant that I would have been easily visible even if I had not been using lights as well as reflective and fluorescent equipment. Thankfully, I was able to stop in time, mainly because experience has taught me that this sort of behaviour is not unusual. While the driver probably shrugged it off, this kind of thing can have major consequences. Some months ago I witnessed a similar incident at the same roundabout, this time in broad daylight. Unfortunately, this time the cyclist was unable to stop and crashed into the car which had pulled out into his path.

The cyclist ended up in hospital, the driver in court.

Matthew Page,

Emerald Street,

York.

...IT is so easy for the police to fine cyclists without lights I have had lights that only last a short time then fail to operate: trading standards should insist on higher standards in manufacture.

Flashing lights on their own are not strictly legal but are sold to unsuspecting cyclists.

In the case of a dynamo, cyclists have no lights when stationary but probably good lighting when moving. The actual risk of dying for a cyclist, or injuring others, riding without lights, is probably much less than for a motorcyclist with full lights on.

On the basis of risk, a cyclist should be fined about £5, but be given the option of going to the nearest police station and buying lights at that price instead of a fine.

Car drivers and occupants need to be very careful when opening doors; a postman was killed because of this.

In York the accident data on cyclists revealed about seven per cent of accidents were due to motorists opening doors. This is a serious problem and a detection system, a small signal emission from a bicycle, then signalling to vehicle occupants that a bike is near, could improve safety.

Colin Clarke,

The Crescent,

Stamford Bridge,

York.

...ON the day it was announced that police would "crack down" on cyclists without lights I saw 17 law-breakers whilst cycling my way home, and by Saturday I'd stopped counting as it had gone past 50.

Also, is there any chance of a tough line to be taken against pedestrians who don't look before crossing the road, especially those who only wear dark clothes?

Andrew Tessier,

Rose Street,

York.

Updated: 16:05 Wednesday, December 19, 2001