More Cycle Stands Unjust And Unjustified

Chronicle (Levin), 6 December 1949, Page 4

More Cycle Stands Unjust And Unjustified

Has the Levin Borough Council in its endeavour to cure one problem brought upon itself another? That some councillors hold. to this belief was obvious last night when the council was considerin'g the provision of additional bicycle stands. The discussion emanated from a letter from Woolworths (N.Z.), Limited, requesting the erection -of a modern tubular steel 20bicycle stand in front of its premises, towards the cost of which the company offered to contribute 50 per cent. While appreciating the generosity of the offer, several councillors expressed the view that too many cycle stands were being placed in Oxford Street at the expense of the motorists'. parking bays. "It is unjust and. unjustified to take away from the motorists more of their parking spaces," said Cr. D. J. Sweetzer. "If the existing stands are properly used they should be quite adequate," he added. It was not fair or reasonable to appropriate more of the motorists' spaee, he continued. "We have robbed the motorist of enough — not too much — but enough. My shoe leather bills are ge'tting heavier every week." It was a generous offer, but he thought the council should decline it, added Cr. Sweetzer when speaking against a motion that it be accepted. Parking in Oxford Street had been cut dowri to a dangerous level, commented Cr. J. Miller. The council was providing more space for bicycles than for cars. Generous as it was, he thought the offer should be turned down. Certain business people came into town and parked their vehicles outside their premises all day, said the Mayor, Mr. H. B. Burdekin. The point was that if the council decided to prosecute cyclists who left their bicycles against verandah posts, it would first have to make sure that there -were adequate stands.' The proposed new stand would occupy two more parking bays. He thought that more could be obtained from the 1 present stands if they were made so that 'cycles could be put on both sides, remarked Cr. Miller. Supporting this view, Cr. R. A. Frederikson said that the area for stands was- not being adequately used. The double stands would be an improvement. He thought that there were sufficient plaees set aside for stands, but many people wanted stands just where they decided to get off their bicycles and that could not be , done. He thought it would be 'best ii all bicycle stands were taken away from Oxford Street "and placed in Queen Street, saM Cr, W. Telford. It would be no great effort for cyclists to walk along Oxford Street and it would be a big help to motorists. On the motion of Cr. Frederik- ■ son, it was decided to write to the company stating that at this stage it was thought inadvisable tc place more stands in Oxford Street, but in case the necessity arose in the future ,the council would like to know if the offer would remain. -j