IT was with horror that I read your story (LET, May 18) about a motorcyclist being killed in a crash with a Nissan Patrol on the A682 road at Blacko.

I also travelled over the A65 and A682 that day and was extremely intimidated by the speed and foolhardiness of motorcyclists.

My husband and I both commented several times that the motorcyclists were not allowing any margin whatsoever, for any slight mistake by themselves or other motorists.

We were overtaken numerous times by bike riders travelling at what certainly appeared to be well over the speed limit. I have been driving for some 24 years and am not easily intimidated, but on that road that day I was glad my husband was in charge.

I feel that much sympathy must go to the driver and passengers in the Nissan Patrol. Having seen the conditions, they did not stand a chance. They too are victims.

It is common knowledge that the police mount offensives against speeding and spot checks on motorcycles using these roads but that day we did not see any police presence.

Yes, I too feel great sorrow for the family of the man who died, but, believe me, the majority of motorcyclists on those roads were an accident just waiting to happen.

CHRISTINE HODGSON, Swindon Street, Burnley.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.