There have been a number of letters regarding cyclists in recent issues of the Courier.

An anonymous cyclist wrote at letter (September 7 - issue 1206) to say that he/she rides with a group of cyclists on a Sunday morning who cycle 20 or 30 miles out of town. Each week the group encounters motorists and the majority are patient and polite, but they also come across a few who seem unable to accept that the road is not entirely their own and are inconsiderate drivers.

Mike Canning responded with a letter (September 14 - issue 1207) saying that perhaps it was the cyclists who were inconsiderate. He suggested that maybe for the safety of everyone the A377 should be made a non-cycle zone and those cycling into Exeter should be encouraged to use the less populated lanes.

John Craythorne was one of our readers who responded to Mike’s letter (September 21 - issue 1208) saying that as a cyclist and a car driver he disagreed with the view that cyclists should be banned from the A377.

By the same logic, cyclists should be banned from thousands of miles of similarly congested roads across the country, essentially making cycling non viable as a form of transport.

Do you think cyclists are inconsiderate, motorists are inconsiderate or are they inconsiderate?

Please let me know your thoughts.

You can Contact me at 102 High Street, Crediton or email: [email protected] .

What you told us ...

As a motorist I always give a wide berth to cyclists. But it annoys me when cyclists ride two abreast. I find cyclists on Exe Bridges in Exeter really annoying because there are cycle paths there but most cyclists don’t use them. I often walk my dog along the shared cycle/pedestrian paths and when cyclists creep up behind and loudly ring their bell - they really make me jump. There are a lot of cyclists who use the A377 and hold up queues of cars that can’t safely pass them - a journey can take forever.

Crediton Resident

I used to cycle and drive but now I just walk. I don’t think the row between cyclists and motorists will ever end. It’s like when you have siblings who don’t agree and both think they are right. You can’t sort it out.

Crediton Resident

I think cyclists are a nuisance and are dangerous. I was on the bus yesterday and there were five cyclists together. It held the bus up because the driver couldn’t pass them safely and the cyclists wouldn’t pull in. I’m sick and tired of them.

Linda Savage- Jones, Crediton

A win-win for all of us would be if Crediton had a safe all-use route to Exeter and I encourage everyone to sign the petition for one at: www.bonifacetrail.org .

Laura Conyngham, Crediton