17 JULY 2004, Page 26

Brought up short

From David Mason Sir: The problem of unpleasant and aggressive bicyclists, as highlighted by Mary Wakefield (Diary, 3 July) and Jules Lubbock (Letters, ID July), is an ever increasing feature of our modern age. A useful remedy, I have found, is to shove a walking-stick or furled umbrella through the spokes of one or other of the wheels. This brings them up short.

David Mason

Witney, Oxfordshire