Sir, - In response to the "Maniac bikers" report (D&S, Sept 12), I do not deny that a number of motorcyclists ride irresponsibly on the roads, as do a large number of car drivers. Nor do I deny that a number of fatal accidents have occurred, although to fully understand the situation, figures must acknowledge the increase in bike traffic as well as the number of casualties.

What I do object to is the one-sided nature of this report and the tarring of all motorcyclists with the same brush.

I am fed up with picking up my local newspaper to see yet another bike-related article and some report that brandish us as some sort of anti-Christ.

Yes, there are power-crazed riders on noisy bikes, but these individuals are in the minority.

It also infuriates me that each time there is an incident involving a motorcycle, whether it is serious or trivia, it makes front-page news in every single local rag and yet other motoring incidents/accidents get nowhere near this kind of coverage, if at all.

We frequently travel on the Hawes-Leyburn road and we enjoy cruising along this scenic route on a nice day.

As for locals complaining about large numbers of motorbikes at weekends and bank holidays, many motorcyclists have work commitments during the week. The only chance for many of us to ride is at the weekend.

I do not hear people grumbling about the huge amount of car traffic at these times nor the revenue that bikers bring to the Dales.

The whole thing smacks of prejudice in a big way and the said newspaper articles are becoming rather tedious and over-the-top.

C & S JARMAIN

Wycar,

Bedale.

Sir, - I refer to your report "Maniac bikers keeping visitors to the dales away", (D&S, Sept 12) urging senior police officers to tackle problem motorcyclists in rural areas.

I can assure you and your readers that the police are already taking action as identified in your paper the previous week: "Motorcyclists in dales targeted over speed and noise - police examine 85 bikes at weekend" gives a fair indication of how the police are responding.

The reality is that policing operations, many of them involving other agencies such as the Vehicle Inspectorate, have been carried out across the county throughout the summer, in a bid to reduce the number of road accidents involving motorcyclists.

Many have been prosecuted, issued with fixed penalty tickets or had their vehicles taken off the roads.

But do not simply take my word for it - you are more than welcome to send a reporter out on patrol with our officers and see and report for yourselves, on the police response.

PETER BAGSHAW

Assistant chief constable,

North Yorkshire Police.

* Editor's note: We will be taking up the force's offer.