TRAVELLING along Crompton Way the other day, coming back from shopping at ASDA, we saw a most alarming sight.

There in front of us travelling along this very busy carriageway were two cyclists. Both wore helmets and they rode in single file, as they should on roads like this. But what made my stomach turn over was that each bike had a seat attached behind the cyclist, and strapped into those seats were very small children, possibly babies.

When I was younger and fitter, I cycled to and from work most days. Nevertheless, that didn't stop me coming a cropper on more than one occasion, when myopic motorists "just didn't see me". Fortunately, those accidents, although painful, were not serious. But what if I had been carrying a small child or baby on my bike? The thought is horrendous.

In today's traffic, the chances of cyclists being knocked off their bikes is, I imagine, far greater. The fact that these two cyclists wore helmets suggests they understood this risk.

I am probably going to be told that there have never been any serious accidents involving small children pillion passengers on push-bikes. I sincerely hope this is so. I pray to God it stays that way.

I also hope that there is legislation to protect children from being exposed to such unnecessary risks, and, if not, why not?

Brian Derbyshire

Ribchester Grove

Bolton