DEFENCE OF MODERN MOTOR-CYCLE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 156, 28 March 1939, Page 13

DEFENCE OF MODERN MOTOR-CYCLE

Use In Times Of National Emergency

“NO MORE DANGEROUS THAN MODERN CAR” Dominion Special Service. PALMERSTON N„ March 27. The opinion that the modern motorcycle is less dangerous to other road users than is the modern motor-car was expressed by the Palmerston North City Council's traffic manager, Air. H. J. Smith, in a report on the proposed restrictions on the use of motor-cycles submitted to the council tonight. “In times of national emergency the motor-cycle could be an efficient means of transport, able to reach localities that could not be served by other motor vehicles,’’ said Mr. Smith. "The Delence Department has recognised this by establishing motor-cycle camps, and in times ot emergency this arm of the service could only be supplemented from members ot motor-cycle clubs or individuals capable of handling the machines. _ If the use o! motor-cycles were prohibited altogether accomplished riders would not be readily available when urgently needed. For these reasons J think the use oi motor-cycles should be encouraged more than it is at present. “Any road user passing a military cycle corps or being overtaken by one cannot but. be impressed by the safe and regular speed of the riders, and in no instance have 1 seen any danger to other road users caused by the use of motor-cycles when in formation and under careful control. A visit to localities where hillclimbing tests are conducted or other routes selected for road reliability trials is very convincing proof that the motorcycle is a safe and efficient means ot transport. Admittedly on a good road there is a very definite urge to speed ami speed should, in my opinion, be mechanically governed and not: left to the judgment of individual riders. Work of Clubs. Motor-cycle clubs are now doing good work in edueuting members to a safer and more courteous manner on the roads, and in my opinion if this is continued and speed is restricted there can be little eauce for complaint, as there Ims been in tlie past, and at the same lime an efficient means of transport would be available if urgently required.” Tlie council adopted the transit committee's recommendation that a copy of Mr. Smith’s report lie submitted to the Commissioner of Transport