CYCLISTS claim motorists in Darlington have no respect for people on bicycles - especially the town's taxi drivers.

Mr George Clayton, a lifetime cyclist who claims to have clocked up 260,000 miles since getting on his first bike, believes taxi drivers are the worst offenders when it comes to respecting other road users.

That was vehemently refuted by an independent taxi owner.

As a representative of Darlington-based cycling club, the Sparton Wheelers, Mr Clayton spoke about the council's cycling strategy at Monday's transport forum.

"Last year I rode over 12,000 miles and up to now the total must be around 260,000 so I know a bit or two about cycling," he said. "The only way the council can make cycling safe is to have a 1m wide cycle track marked out on the road.

"There is a growing disrespect for cyclists and motorists are very aggressive. The worst offenders in Darlington are the taxi drivers. They need to be educated in how to use the road. They drive too fast and don't brake any more when they come to a roundabout.

"They just drive straight across the front of you and chop you up when they take a left turn."

But Mr Mick Kennedy, representative of Darlington independent taxi traders' organisation, denied the claims. He said: "I have been a taxi driver for 14 years and I always leave two car gaps to get past a bike.

"We could say the same about cyclists who park on the pavement and bikes without lights. It's not right to cast aspersions on each other."

Mr Barry Pearson, commercial licensing manager, told the D&S Times: "Taxis are so easily recognised that cyclists are more likely to remember being wronged by them."

The cycling strategy, which includes increasing the town's cycle network, will be discussed at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday.