LAST Sunday morning, walking in the Forest, we were greeted with "hello" from a cyclist, but because our 'hello' was less than enthusiastic – in his opinion – we were challenged and asked "what our problem was?"

I therefore tried to explain that he and his friends were actually cycling on a track not suitable for bikes causing damage to the track and further damage to the fencing they had to drag their bikes over.

He did not think we had a right to this view because, as he so eloquently put it, "I've lived in the Forest for 30 years, so what's your problem?"

We were then, in the middle of a pleasant Sunday morning walk, subjected to a torrent of coarse, foul-mouthed abuse and told to "mind our own business" – even though we had not instigated the conversation.

Obviously being a relative newcomer of 25 years, I have yet to be given the right to use and abuse the Forest as I see fit.

The fact is I have the greatest respect for the Forest and believe that it belongs to all, not the few who think they have the right to disregard bye-laws, codes of conduct etc at will.

If I find myself walking along a designated bike track I would always defer to cyclists and would therefore assume that cyclists would show equal respect to walkers and the Forest. Sadly that is not always true. We are very lucky to live in such a beautiful area. Please show it the respect it deserves.

– Name and address supplied.