I READ Colin Mackenzie's letter (HAS, Sept 26) and I thanked my Maker that I did not have somebody like him for a parent.

I was allowed a childhood and I was allowed to explore. I was also expected to travel to school every day "under my own steam". My parents lectured to me not to accept sweets or lifts from strangers and I was expected to learn The Highway Code.

Some things have certainly changed in the last 45 years but some things have also stayed the same. Paedophiles existed then, but nowadays they sell more newspapers. Traffic may have increased but, by law, a person of any age is entitled to ride a bike on any public road except a motorway.

Should a cyclist "not make it", as Mr Mackenzie puts it, it is because of some negligent act on the part of a motorist and the culprit could expect the courts to deal with him most severely.

Martin Forester, Spennymoor.