COUNCILLOR Dorothy Long must travel around Darlington with her eyes shut if she has failed to see the number of people who ride bikes on pavements and footpaths in all parts of the town (Echo, Dec 5).

They are a danger to young and old alike.

They have absolutely no consideration for pedestrians, and common sense is certainly out of the question.

It made me smile when Cllr Long was reported to have said it was a matter for the police, as I have seen a uniformed officer actually step aside on the pavement to let two of these two-wheeled hooligans ride past him!

Riding on the pavement used to be illegal so either the law has changed or the powers-that-be just don’t bother anymore.

Although I don’t know them personally, I congratulate Councillors Alan Coultas and Bryan Thistlethwaite for trying to address the problem. Perhaps if another tragic incident occurs, their colleagues on the council might wake up.

Ian Wood, Darlington