IT is with regret but little surprise that I read the letter from James Woodman (Shuttle/Times and News, July 3) concerning the place of cyclists on the canal towpath.

I use this route to work daily and my experiences seem totally different.

I elected to use this route from Stourport to Kidderminster and vice versa as I felt the existing cycle route to be laughable. The new one approaching Kidderminster is smooth yet bisected by trees, posts and parked cars.

If you cross the road the alternative offers an old footpath with cycle route painted upon it. It is very deeply rutted by old tree roots and one can enjoy countless high kerbs to boot. All in all a teeth-chattering experience for cyclists and a shock-absorbing experience for the bikes themselves.

Coupled with this, the track itself just peters out as you approach Kidderminster. This leaves two options - to either stay upon a now very narrowing footpath and suffer the wrath of approaching pedestrians or to attempt to cross the very busy Stourport Road. This entire procedure has not been well thought out.

Consequently that leaves our glorious tranquil canal - such a welcome refuge from traffic and fumes. The peace and solitude are to be appreciated down there. I have had the pleasure to meet countless cyclists who, like myself, appreciate the leafy scenery.

I have not once encountered that breed of "whizzing cyclist" Mr Woodman describes.

In fact in the intervening days since his letter I have approached both fishermen and walkers alike to ask if they have come across inconsiderate cyclists.

I have received an enormous "no" in response. I really do feel that the vast majority of cyclists - whether out on a jolly or simply going from A to B in the most reliable and safest way possible - are by and large considerate and courteous. Certainly not speedsters!

Sadly, a narrow-minded band exists in our society which is intent upon giving cyclists a bad name.

J SEWELL

Dunley Road, Stourport