Cycle lanes good in theory, but . . .

I don’t want to put a spoke in the wheels, but Newcastle City Council seem obsessed by constructing cycle lanes in the city and its suburbs.

There’s one under construction on the old A1 near Melton Park in Gosforth, which is taking an age to complete a relatively short strip of land.

There’s the usual chicane with the infamous red cones, and sometimes it’s easier to exit the Hampton Court maze!

In theory, cycle lanes are sensible, but several of their users are far from it.

The lanes are costing millions of pounds, and in my opinion, all bikes should have a licence for say, £50 a year, which is a small price to pay.

They could be printed on adhesive tape, and stuck to the handle, or cross bar. Those bikes without a licence should receive a fine of say, £150.

In my opinion all cyclists, regardless of age, must wear appropriate headgear, and if not, warrant an appropriate fine.

If they ride two-abreast, making it impossible for cars to overtake, they should also be fined, lose their licence, and be off the road.

Cyclists, realising their limitations, and keeping to the rules of the road, are an asset to towns and cities like London and York, who would otherwise be totally grid-locked without them.

Common sense should be applied by councils building the supposedly necessary cycle lanes, and not be like so much of their work, take an age to complete.

In my opinion, all cyclists upon receipt of their licence, should also receive a copy of the Highway Code.

For motorists, irresponsible cyclists can make it hell on earth, and for the latter, there’s too many accidents waiting to happen. CHRIS ROBINSON, Gosforth