PASSENGERS on the Metrolink can now look forward to improved safety, security and peace of mind, thanks to an increase in the number of safety officers patrolling the system.

The managing director of Metrolink said: "This important scheme will benefit our customers and reinforces our commitment to preserving Metrolink's reputation as an extremely safe form of public transport".

Given that the Government is desperate to get people out of their cars, with the aim of reducing congestion and pollution and consequently protecting the nation from these threats to the economy and our health, we really can't afford to settle for anything less.

So where does that leave cyclists, who are also helping to reduced congestion and pollution? Shouldn't they also be entitled to improved safety, security and peace of mind, especially now that the Government is so keen to get more children riding bicycles?

Also, it's not only Metrolink passengers who can enjoy those things; so too can airline passengers. Because of the threat from terrorists, such security measures now know no limits.

We have laws that ensure the rights to equality, fair treatment and justice in all other aspects of life, racial, sexual, for the consumer and in the workplace, so why not laws that ensure the right to fair treatment for vulnerable road-users?

Some might say that the rules of the road and the Highway Code already satisfy these rights. However, with so many drivers blatantly ignoring the rules, and law enforcement having such little effect, cyclists rarely enjoy these rights. Thousands, if not millions, are fearful of cycling.

Speed limits are designed to safeguard life, are they not? So, if simply making life uncomfortable for tram-users is anti-social, what might threatening the lives of vulnerable road-users be classed as?

Speeding drivers may not be evil terrorists, but they certainly "terrorise" the elderly, the disabled, young children, cyclists and horse-riders. They threaten the nation's health and economy, and they certainly kill more innocent people than do terrorists.

ALLAN RAMSAY