The recent correspondence in the Advertiser makes many valid points in asking car/lorry drivers to consider cyclists on local roads.

Gordon Dick of Lomond Roads Cycling Club specifically asks for respect. Fine, he and his fellow cyclists will get it, and if that reduces – or even better eliminates – collisions between cyclists and motor vehicles everyone will gain, apart from the occasional impatient oaf who is marginally delayed.

How valuable is the extra 10-15 seconds for him (it usually is a him)?

But the respect must be mutual. And that, I suggest, means that there are several “must dos” for all cyclists.

1. Always obey all traffic signals, including pedestrian crossings.

2. Always use a cycle lane/off-road route such as the one on A814 between Helensburgh and Colgrain - no footling excuses about there being some loose gravel on it (use appropriate tyres on your bike).

3. No more than two cyclists riding abreast.

4. Having bright reflective clothing whenever it is dark (ideally in daytime too) – drivers need to be able to see you to avoid you!

5. Having working bright lights and front and rear in darkness or poor visibility – preferably with flashing LEDs.

6. Never cycling on pavements unless the cyclist is a child below 16.

Mr Dick mentions the first point, but on a recent Saturday afternoon - January 21, at 3pm - there was a large group of cyclists, clearly part of a club, using the main A814 road eastbound, where a dedicated off road route has been provided by the council. Were they members of your club, Mr Dick?

My career has been over 40 years in transport. In one place where I worked there is an excellent wide level cycle route, ideal for commuting that was also a tourist route by the beach.

It was well used by all cyclists, including 'Lycra Louts' who charged along at well over 20 mph.

After a fatal accident when one such lout collided with children, this route had to be closed completely to all cycles. So, cyclists, you too must always behave with care and consideration.

James B. Duncan

Cardross

I find it very disturbing that in their latest budget the Scottish Government has yet again not improved their mental health strategy which they allowed to lapse in 2015.

Young people are still waiting more than a year for treatment. If you have a broken leg you get seen the same day, but with a broken mind, a delay of months is unacceptable.

Families can be destroyed by mental illness whatever the age of the patient. Since statistics show that one in four of the population will suffer mental illness at some time in their life it is a major concern.

Willie Rennie, the Scottish leader of the Liberal Democrats, says their councillors will work in partnership with local health services and schools to encourage them to identify young people with mental health problems and enable them to deliver better support for these patients.

Margaret Horrell

Via email

When everyone was signing the petition against Trump's temporary travel ban on a few people, where were they when the leader of one of the world's most despotic countries was on a state visit and being feted by the great and the rich?

The Chinese Premier leads a country notorious for its human rights abuses and deaths of millions of people, especially in Tibet, where the people are being ethnically cleansed.

For example, can you imagine being sentenced to life imprisonment for sending an email? This is what happened to Wangdu, who lives in Tibet – a country illegally occupied for 65 years.

All he wanted was for the world to know his people's plight. At the moment no-one knows which concentration camp he is in.

Where were the petitions against the Chinese? Where were the petitions against the King of Saudi Arabia and his visit? Another despotic leader totally opposed to freedom and who ruthlessly enforces an extremist version of Islam on everyone.

To me it all smells of hypocrisy.

Brian McKenna

Overtoun Avenue, Dumbarton

Just after the EU referendum result, the Scottish Tory leader said: "I want to stay in the single market. Even if a consequence of that is maintaining free movement of labour."

The Scottish Government says that if the UK government compromises on at least negotiating to keep the UK in the European single market - which Ruth Davidson agreed supports 43,000 Scottish jobs - that they will not hold an independence referendum.

Ruth Davidson says the Scottish Tories would “oppose any attempt” for a second independence referendum, but then oddly also says that ‘any attempt’ for a second independence referendum should not be blocked by UK government.

So why is she not supporting the Scottish Government's compromise for the UK government to at least negotiate to keep the UK in the single market - which she said she supported - if she doesn't want an independence referendum?

Are the Tories trying to provoke one because they think they will win it - just like David Cameron thought he would easily win his EU referendum?

Graham Roberts

Caithness Street, Glasgow

Shortly after the UK Leave vote in the referendum, Margaret Thatcher's former Chancellor, Lord Nigel Lawson said: “Brexit gives us the opportunity…to finish the job that Margaret Thatcher started”.

Whilst Scotland voted to Remain I'm sure most of those who did vote Leave in Scotland did not do so take Scotland back to the 1980s.

But with Theresa May and the Tories arrogantly suggesting they will just ignore Scotland's position it looks like they are planning what Nigel Lawson suggests.

Theresa May has failed to rule out opening up the NHS to private US health providers as she desperately seeks a trade deal with Trump.

She also suggests she might turn the UK into a tax haven by making massive tax cuts - cuts that could only come with cuts to public services. Iain Duncan Smith’s cuts to welfare for families and the vulnerable will continue, and a 'bedroom tax mark 2' is already being considered.

It is no longer simple Brexit but a Tory hard Brexit we all now face.

In the month of May Scotland faces another election for Scotland's councils. The Tories will treat them as a vote to endorse their version of Brexit. Every vote they get they will claim is a vote for that means they can do what they like to Scotland and we'll just take it.

They will be hoping that people who oppose their policies don't turn out so that they get a bigger share of the vote.

So the only way to send them a message that people don't want their version of Brexit is to turn out in numbers so that they cannot claim people want a return to the 1980s.

Bill Wallace

Wyndford Road, Glasgow

Thank you again local newspapers, like this one, for printing my letters about reuniting those who have served together in the Royal Navy.

My letters are often cut out and sent to someone who has served. Many say things like: ‘My niece saw your letter and sent it to me.’

Many are missing the camaraderie of those who served in the Royal Navy, such as the eight already found from HMS Raleigh; 23 Entry Benbow Division, June 2, 1980.

Many say ‘I wish I could relive some of it’ - well, this can be done in the form of an ‘RN Shipmates Reunion’ to be held over the weekend of Friday, April 21 to Monday, April 24 in the Midlands.

This includes a Coach Tour over the weekend and of course, a Tot Issue. Wives and partners are welcomed too. No Association or annual subscription, just come and ‘Swing the Lamp’ and find old shipmates.

Contact me for Reunion details, Mike Crowe on mike.crowe1@btinternet.com or at 7 Heath Road, Lake, Sandown, Isle of Wight, PO36 8PG. (A stamp will help the pension if writing to me for Reunion details!)

The next move towards finding your old shipmate is yours. Do it now!

Mike Crowe

Sandown, Isle of Wight