What a cracking letter from a serving police officer (Letters, May 2).

His candid response to mine (Letters, April 21) about those damn cyclists was excellent. I was put in my place and no mistake.

I had no idea the workload the police had, nor the numbers of officers needed to uphold the law.

My letter was written out of frustration towards cyclists and not maliciously aimed at the police.

Here are two examples of what provoked me to write:

1. Picture strolling along the seafront on a glorious, spring morning when suddenly, a cyclist bears down on you, spoiling that feeling of being one with nature.

You indicate the cycle lane provided only a metre away and as he nonchalantly brushes past your elbow, you recommend he use it.

He suggests you attempt a physically impossible anatomical feat.

2. Later, my wife and I walked down St James' Street. Across the road, two community officers had stopped a pavement cyclist. The three of them soon began laughing merrily, before bidding each other farewell.

The lack of authority was conspicuous by its absence.

We followed the cyclist walking his bike. When he was out of sight of the bobbies, he mounted his bike and, still on the pavement, cycled away.

No wonder I've developed grumpy old man syndrome.

-Bill Grant, Brighton