AS with many people when the sun came out and I dusted off the cobwebs from my bike, my then short recreational ride around Middleton, Neasham, Hurworth, was to say the least uncomfortable.

Our roads, especially to the near side, are full of uneven road surfaces and potholes. Some maybe not that deep to bother a car but one to two-inch holes can damage a bike or cause a puncture, are most uncomfortable and are best avoided.

I have to admit as a car driver I can become frustrated when approaching a cyclist ahead to see abrupt direction changes, but accept this is probably self-preservation avoiding the upcoming holes.

New rules say drivers should give cyclists at least 1.5 metres of space when passing. Many, many cars went past me much much closer than that. Please give room.

Robert Walker, Middleton St George