AS A keen cyclist who uses the canal towpath to commute to work, I watched the progress of work to transform it into a cycle path with great delight.

Last week I had a chance to cycle on the finished section between Keswick Road and Caton Road for the first time and it was much more pleasant.

But now I hear that the new tarmac surface is to be covered with grit so that pedestrians can hear approaching cyclists - and this is an issue.

This method has already been used on a section of cycle path to the university and it certainly does not meet with the approval of bike commuters.

Bikes behave differently on grit because they do not have a good grip and are more prone to skidding and causing injury to the cyclist. And in case of falling off, scratching elbows or knees on smooth tarmac causes much less damage than if this happens on grit.

I do not know whether there was a public opinion survey done prior to this decision, but I am sure the cycling public would disagree.

How about simply asking cyclists to install bells on their bicycles? I believe cyclists using the cycle paths are responsible people who respect sharing it with pedestrians and ride their bikes accordingly.

I am very grateful for the work that has been done on the cycle paths in Lancaster area but money spent on the grit surface will be money badly spent. It is time for the cycling public to get together and do something about this gritty issue.

Lenka Sukenikova, Lancaster.