RED REAR LIGHTS ON BICYCLES

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 147, 17 March 1939, Page 13

RED REAR LIGHTS ON BICYCLES

Compulsion Urged

N.I.M.U. WANTS MACHINES REGISTERED

The desirability of having all pedal cycles fitted with red rear lights was reaffirmed by the North Island Motor Union at its half-yearly meeting in Wellington yesterday. Supporting rr request from the Automobile Association (Wairarapa) that the union take up the question again, Mr. R. AV. Roydhouse (Wairarapa) said that much had been achieved in the way of road safety, but more was desired. The present red reflectors were not 100 per cent, effective; there were times when they faded out and then accidents were likely with consequent death or maiming. His association suggested that it be made compulsory for all pedal cyclists to carry a red rear light and would like the union to press for that. “If we can get pedal cyclists compelled to have red rear lights on their machines, we shall have gone a long way toward achieving safety on the roads,” said Mr. Roydhouse. “I’d like to .see all cyclists' licensed. but the other is more important.” Mr. T. M. N. Rogers (Manawatu). seconding a motion by Mr. Roydhouse that the union take further action, said that cycles could be equipped with red rear lights at very small cost. When the suggestion had first been made there had been criticism on the ground that it would increase the cost of the "poor man’s carriage," but actually the cost would be under 4/6. Mr. W. A. O’Callaghan (past-presi-dent) : In my opinion, the first essential is to have cycles registered, because we have had experience in the past when trying to get convictions where 28 out of 30 men have given the wrong name and have not been traced.

An amendment that the union press for the registration of cycles was moved by Mr. O’Callaghan. Mr. N. F. Little (Taranaki) said the whole question was bound up with the lighting regulations. The reflectors were often insufficient when lights were dipped, yet the Transport Department was talking of altering the regulations to provide for permanent dipping. It would therefore be wise to wait till they saw exactly what form the new lighting regulations would take. Seconding the amendment, Mr. E. Palliser (Wellington) said registration had Ibeen promised by the Minister of Transport and that should be the first consideration.

At the suggestion of the chairman, Mr. H. F. Edmundson (Hawke’s Bay), two separate motions were put to the meeting and both were carried. The first was that the Transport Department toe approached to have cycles registered and the second that an effort be made to have bicycles equipped with rear lights.