RE Brian Madden's letter following recent correspondence about school pupil bus pass rows (HAS, Sept 19).

I don't know how long he has lived in Illinois, US, or if he has any children, but in today's world with one car per household, some with two, I wouldn't like to think that he had to ride his bike to school. Now, 45 years on, I don't think that he would actually make it.

Also, with the amount of paedophiles and people on the sex offenders' register, it's not safe on the streets. My children get on the bus outside my house straight to school, and from school back home (so on your bike, Brian).

Colin Mackenzie, Darlington.