Our roads are no place for cyclists...

DEAR Editor, The cycle race organised for last Sunday was absolutely ridiculous.

My house in Halesowen was surrounded by the event. Other events in the area were cancelled. What right have cyclists got to have roads closed when many of them do not even pay road tax?

Even worse, it was not an event such as a professional road race, but just a leisurely cycle by amateurs.

Professionals would be through in much less time, limit the inconvenience and be a spectacle to watch.

If they want to cycle 100 miles, then I suggest they go and cycle round and round Cannock Chase or Sutton Park for example.

I am also of the firm belief that, far from encouraging people to cycle, they should be dissuaded, as roads are too dangerous for cyclists, especially A class roads.

Those also cycling to work “to save the planet” should consider when they are cycling say down the Hagley Road in rush hour with a line of traffic behind all stuck in first or second gear, probably using 100 times more fuel than the cyclist is saving.

Gone are the days where you see people cycling around in old movies and the quicker councils and people realise this the better.

If you put cycling in context with, say, the workplace, it would have been stopped years ago by health and safety legislation.

Graham Ashley, Halesowen