To cut down on using the car, I usually cycle to the David Lloyd Centre at the Marina using the seafront cycle lane.

Cycling back on Sunday night, I was stopped by a policeman who informed me I was not allowed to use the cycle lane from the bottom of West Street to the West Pier.

I asked why and was told Brighton and Hove Council doesn't want visiting MPs knocked over by cyclists on the cycle lane.

I was told to use the busy road instead. I asked why there were cycle lanes and was told it's because the roads can be dangerous places for cyclists!

So because the conference is in town, the council and police seem happy to increase my chances of getting knocked off my bike by making me use the busy seafront road.

In my experience of using the seafront cycle lane, pedestrians and cyclists usually get alone fine. I cycle along there during the busy summer season when there are many more people about than during an autumn conference. So how come our MPs are apparently unable to look where they are going when everyone else is able to cope?

Why are the council and the police endangering my life by making me use the seafront road? I'd be interested to hear the council justify closing the cycle lane, but I don't think it will be able to.

-Graham Howson, Bigwood Avenue, Hove