Racing on public roads

Sir,
With the recent announcements in current newspapers of a cycle race now taking place in public roads in the West of England, can any of your readers enlighten me as to why this is allowed. Having twice nearly been involved in a nasty accident due to these “head-down ” speed merchants, I would really like to know, especially in view of the 70 m.p.h. limit (50 m.p.h. on some roads) and also of the fact that cyclists make no contribution at all to the upkeep of our roads although constituting a nuisance, particularly in towns.

Kidlington. James F. Page.