Sir, - I see the issue of motorcycling in Bilsdale has raised its head again.

I should declare an interest. I am a 55-year old "born again" biker. I live in the area and potter about on an old BMW tourer.

I have no desire to race from Helmsley to Stokesley, or anywhere else for that matter, but see no reason to try to stop others enjoying themselves on what is, after all, a public highway.

For the most part the risk is to the individual and is surely only a problem when it becomes a risk to other road users.

People who live near a road and complain about it being used are the same as those who live near a church and complain about the bells, or a pub and complain about the noise, or move to a rural area and complain about the smell. It happens, get used to it.

There is a possible solution here, if only people could spot a commercial opportunity when it rears up and bites them in the bottom. I suspect that the Isle of Man has little problem with speeding motorcyclists for most of the year, yet reaps enormous financial and other benefits by making them welcome.

Certainly Helmsley, to some extent Stokesley, and other magnets in the area such as Whitby and Scarborough, attracts dozens and sometimes hundreds of motorcyclists who enjoy the challenging roads and scenery of the North York Moors. Instead of hounding and punishing them, why not try some encouragement, which would have with it the hint of a stick as well as a carrot?

A North Yorkshire TT, run on the Helmsley - Stokesley road once a year, might entail closing the road for a weekend. There are alternative routes for most people living along it. Properly organised, with venues at both ends, viewing areas along the routes, appropriate safety measures, and a time trial that took account of the speed limits through the villages of Great Broughton and Chop Gate along the way (over 30 mph and points are lost), the rewards in terms of contributions to the local economy, and the local farmers and landowners along the route whose fields would be used for viewing platforms and parking, would far outweigh the inconvenience of closing the roads for a few hours a day over one weekend.

The stick, of course, is that during the remainder of the year if motorcycling became a problem the event could be terminated.

I have floated this idea before, and have even found a local sponsor willing to help with some initial expenses. I have spoken and written to the county council and both Hambleton and Ryedale District Councils tourist sections, and local motorcycling organisations. The result? Not even a reply.

GERRY STAPLETON

Cooper Lane,

Potto.

Townie trash

Sir, - Another bank holiday and more trash imported by the townies, who no doubt have no room in their locality for discarding their trash.

On Sunday morning, May 30, a disgusting odour was coming from our cellar. On outside investigation, we found two plastic carriers crammed with discarded beer bottles and cans, banana skins, tin foil boxes and an empty milk bottle.

We had seen two cars draw up outside, rather close to our home with eight young persons on board. These creatures, who had no doubt been sleeping rough, had a copious breakfast of alcohol, dumped their trash and drove off.

Would visiting townies, on their very noisy motorbikes, plus "trashy" people please stay away from the Dales. This would enable decent folk to visit the beautiful countryside and not be "abused" by noisy motor-bikers or confronted with discarded trash left by "trashy" people. The thought goes through our minds that these mucky people are future leaders in their community.

DAVID M POWELL

Aysgarth,

Leyburn.

ID card fears

Sir, - Those who back ID cards and the vast computer system that will hold all sorts of personal details should hold one figure in mind.

Last year nearly 200 applicants for jobs were wrongly labelled as criminals by the Criminal Records Bureau.

Just think what would be the impact of your life if you were the subject of the State's mistake.

There's a very real danger of data-creep as bureaucrats add more information about you to the system.

That will mean the register is like every other government database - full of junk.

And so half the population also believes all that information about you will find its way to unauthorised persons outside Government.

For this, you get to pay £35 every five years for your ID card.

Is that what people want?

ROBIN ASHBY

Rudby Close,

Gosforth,

Newcastle.