I AM saddened by the unwarranted attention that motorcyclists are receiving from the police with reference to illegal number plates, noisy exhausts and other petty misdemeanours.

I am not a biker, preferring off-road motorcycle sport, but because of the foot and mouth crisis I was considering buying a road bike to use this summer.

The last time I rode a motorcycle on the road was in 1984 and I stopped due to what I consider police harassment. Every time I went out on the bike I was pulled over and had an officer 'nit picking' my motorcycle to try and find something wrong with it.

I have driven cars for 20 years now and have never been pulled over by the police. So I would like to know why bikers are still receiving special attention?

Motorcyclists should be encouraged to ride their machines as often as is possible because they ease traffic congestion and reduce environmental damage.

I will not be bothering to buy a road bike for the summer because it will obviously be less hassle just to queue for hours on the A64 every time we get a warm day, rather than be stopped and checked by the police for petty reasons.

Anthony Thompson,

Flaxton Road,

Strensall, York.

Updated: 09:50 Friday, April 13, 2001