UN LIGHTED BICYCLES

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 106, 7 May 1934, Page 8

UN LIGHTED BICYCLES

(To the Editor.)

Sri-, —In reply to your correspondent 'Motorist". I would just like to say that I c&tvy a. headlamp on my bicycle because I lifre- to see where I am going, and that I h»re a red rear reflector because that is.required by law. It will bo seen, therefore, that instead of defying the law, I comply with it. My rear reflector is properly fitted, and has been approved by the National Physical Laboratory. Having been a motorist before I became the proud possessor of a bicycle, I agree with your correspondent that it is sometimes difficult to'-piek" up a cyclist on the road at any distance from a car, especially o'u wet bitumen. But that is no excuse for any motorist barging ahead on tho assumption that the road ahead' of him is clear.;. It is equally difficult, i£ not moroso, to see pedestrians. Cyclists are well aware of this difficulty, but have never clamoured for a-law compelling pedestrians to fit rear reflectors. It'may bo argiled that pedestrians arc now requested to walk on the right-halid sido of the road, but that'does not alter the fact that a pedestrian is still afc liberty to cross the road if,' for some, reason or other, ho wishes to go' to tho other side. The proper thing for ,a motorist to do —and tho only safe- thing—is to- drivo at night at such a speed that he can pull up in the visibility available. It isia curious fact, , however, that in nearly every case where a cyclist is run down from behind, visibility is good— these eases frequently happen in broad daylight. Your correspondent need only make a brief study of accident statistics in order to find verification of this statement.

Many cyclists iii tho Hutt , Valley, and elsewhere, consider they aro complying with the law 'of Saubing somo white- paint on their rear .mudguard if th,ey have one." Tho law says nothing wh'atcver about white ' mudguards. An efficient red rear reflector,'properly fitted, is compulsory/ and is all that is required.' It is only the liower Putt Borough Council (in this province) which worries—or, rather, doesn't worry—about white mudguards. ". " , If the" Lbwer Hutt and, Petone Borough Councils set about remedying tho position with regard to' unlighted bicycles, and bicycles without rear led reflectors, I will be very pleased. My letter was written in the hope that something of the kind would bo done. Attention should also be paid to 'nnlightcd motor-vehicles. Last night on the Hutt Road I counted three cars and a'lorry with white rear lights, two cars and four lorries without a red rear light, and five ears and one motor-eyclo with no lights at all.—l am, etc.,

ALFRED E. MILNE, Consul for N.Z. Cyclists' Touring Club, May 7.