David Turbayne (Letters, May 12) says that the policy of allowing bike riders to travel free on buses (when using bike racks) has encouraged more cycling. Hello! If their bikes are on bus racks, they are not cycling, they are just riding them to the bus stop to get free travel, for which the rest of us pay.

Ivan Hoy, Kambah

APPALLING BEHAVIOUR

While I am appalled at the behaviour of the Cronulla rugby league players, and there can be no excuse for their behaviour in New Zealand, I can't help wondering why women are stupid enough to go back to a hotel room with a team of rugby league players. What was she thinking might happen an invitation to a tea party?

S. Thomas, Deakin

TREATMENT OF WOMEN

Question: What is the difference between treatment of women by the Taliban and by the National Rugby League? Answer: None, but we bomb the Taliban.

Michael McCarthy, Deakin

EXCELLENT MOTHER'S DAY

The ACT Government earns a well-deserved pat on the back for providing an excellent Mother's Day event in Glebe Park. The free entertainment was of a very high standard and provided a lovely afternoon for mums and their partners/spouses and families to spend an enjoyable relaxing time together. Great for tourists too. My family certainly hopes this event is repeated each year.

E. Broomfield, Googong, NSW

A DELIGHTFUL CARTOON

David Pope is to be congratulated on his delightful and succinct cartoon (May 12, p10). The federal second handout does not make sense. If the money was to be spent on infrastructure, eg, direct rail link from Mittagong to Liverpool, that would be an ongoing stimulus to the economy and provide jobs. As it is there will be monetary flush, then nothing ongoing.

Rex G. Thomas, Kaleen

HE'S JUST ON A ROLL

You have to love Pope's ''Starship Budget 09'' (May 12, p10). An empty toilet roll for the engine room of Government! How apt.

Warren Feakes, Wanniassa

CLAPTRAP OF RAEL CULT

Placing a sympathetic article about a cult (''Rael ways to peace on Earth'', Times2, May 12, p3) is a disservice to the community. Cults suck money out of gullible victims while chipping away at their sovereignty. Professor Susan J. Palmer of Montreal declares this cult is benign despite its UFO claptrap. She needs to study the history of cults and remember the maxim: Power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Peter Robinson, Ainslie