A PLEA FOR CYCLISTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2120, 1 July 1907, Page 1

A PLEA FOR CYCLISTS.

OUR 'MUDDY ROADS. THE BICYCLE AND LANDVALUES. • Regarding the fines recently imposed on cyclists for ridinni on footpaths', “Onlooker”.-writes:— I saw in a recent issue iof yours that several cyclists, including some ladies, had been fined for riding on the paths, and had been . mulcted more or less heavily- in fines for so doing. “LET THEM WALK.”

'Now, sir. no nne'ljas a greator rospi'ct for Tri’fPHiiiil -order than iiiysoll, but I think that there is something to be said in favor of tlio: cyclists. Firstly, there is the atrocious state of our streets during tho last 1 low days. Cycling on the streets was practically impossible. “Then let them walk,” says the non-cyclist? but surely, sir, this constitutes a serious hardship to a large and otherwise law-abiding section of the community. Many ladies and gentlemen, old and young, live at a considerable distance from their places of business, and being debarred (by no fault of their own, but by the fearful condition of the streets) from cycling, are coiupollod at considerable loss of time and the cost l of groat fatigue to walk tho whole way there and back, and perhaps back again after tea to their workshops and ■places of Hmsincss; and this fatigue •is no inoonsiderabio item in the day’s work of the busy shop-girl •or clerk. Again, the fimo involved in walking the distance is often; so great that the girl is compelled to get’ her dinner in town at further reduction of her slender salary. Again tho value of the bicycle in its effect on the price of -outlying and suburban sections must, not be forgotten. Would some of the sections fetch the prices they do were it- not for the harmless necessary bike. I maintain, that the bicycle" is an important factor in keeping up the prices (inflated or otherwise) of suburban properties. The bike it is that keeps up these values by enabling people easily and cheaply, to proceed to and from their work. For the same reason it obviates the overcrowding which is the curso of our large towns. It provides ■ healthful exercise for old and young.. And yet, sir, cycles and cyclists -s receive scant consideration from our city, authorities. (They are heavily fined for -crawling at a fast pace along a footpath at a time when the roads are, in such a state as to preclude riding on them. STIMULATING BUSINESS. ■ Again, sir, look at what the muchabused cyclist has done and is doing for the trades -and industries of this (and every other) town. Say that; there are 1000 cyclists' in town. At tho average rate this represents £20,000 invested in the business, in Gisborne, and. this estimate takes no cognisance of -repairs and accessories—no' small items. This r means that tho cyclists ■of this town are maintaining at their own cost a considerable portion of the'community. Surely such a body is entitled to some consideration from the people as a, whole. They get it in;the form of fines. ORGANISATION WANTED.

I mentioned the cyclists as a body ; ■but? they are' not"properly such; and. there lies- 1 ' The whole -trouble'. - Ttfey are - merely. a number of units, and as such have no poivor. It is time cyclists recognised this, and combined to assert their rights. The number of cyclists and tlieir sympathisers in tho town,' if combined, and casting a block vote,would make their weight felt at any election, and it is time they took steps to have themselves properly represented. THE RISK OF ACCIDENT. To put their side of the question: What harm would a cyclist crawlting at 4 miles an hour, which is a smart walking : nace, do to jiath or •pedestrians ? They would undoubtedly improve the path. As regards • pedestrians and children, no cyclist will willingly run into an 'adult or child—that means damage or expense to liim or herself. As lor children they are all over the roads and paths always, anil so it cannot increase their risks. The fact is that) there is no risk to adults, or children at a 4 mile an hour pace, for the cyclist can dismount instantly at that pace or stop. Of course no cyclist would ask to he allowed to ride on our -footpaths of the main thoroughfares of the town ; but out iii the suburbs the case is very different. . Along the comparatively unfrequented streets the average pedestrian is one in every hundred yards or more, while frequently ono may, on tlio more remote ones, ride half a- mile, without meeting a soul. Yet it is; for riding on the path on these little frequented streets that the unfortunate cyclists

have been fined by zealous but inconsiderate authority. LATITUDE WANTED.

. In most large towns the streets and roads are so good that cyclists can ride in-iany. weather; but it is not- so in Gisborne. Therefore the author!-' ies should allow some latitude in consideration of the hard conditions un-

der which cyclists labor here. Gisborne is a town of great distances, and that fact also should be allowed

A . REMEDY. I think that our authorities would be showing a spirit of fairness and broad-minded justice were , they to allow cyclists to ride on the path in the less .frequented streets. Confine them if possible to one side of the street or road, and regulate ‘the pace to 4 miles an hour, and no harm but much good would result to a harmless but hardly-used section of the community. OLD-TIME FRIGHT. These views will no doubt meet with strong opposition, and ? all sorts of evils will be predicted were cyclists tallowed this slight indulgence; but I have a lively recollection of!the wild resolutions passed by Councils and Road Boards re t‘he poor bike when that machine, was first introduced. One body down South solemnly decided that to prevent mishaps to riders and drivers of horses'the. cyclist must dismount and take Ilia machine :to the roadside and hide it. there somehow. -Otherbodies • passed equally absurd laws. What notice does a horse take of a bicycle now? And liow about motor cars? What has become of tho fierce opposition to them and tlio prophecies of disaster. . All vanished like last- week’s frosts, . for they were mere myths. We are a. conservative race, whatever our politics may be. So will tlio opposition to freedom from disabilities for cyclists vanish and.calm reason assert its sway when a fair trial of the course I suggest is given, and is seen that no danger to anyone can result from these concessions, but a great blessing bo conferred on cyclists, especially the lady cyclists. Lot- our City Fathers show a truly progressive spirit, and be the first, to introduce really liberal regulations regarding cyclists .