The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1907.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2152, 7 August 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1907.

the unfortunate cyclist 'l'lio correspondent who wrote i yesterday’s issuo complaining of tho treatment accorded to cyclists by polico and magistrates voiced a grievance which cannot bo summarily dismissed. Cycles have long ceased to bo a luxury, and that large section of tho community which uses these handy machines in connection with their daily work have just as much right to be catered for as have pedestrians and those who rely upon horses and vehicles as their means of locomotion. They have a right to expect from tho Borough Council either that tlio main roads shall bo made fit for cycle traffic or that special cycle paths shall be laid down. Unfortunately the trouble of tho poor metal supply intervenes, and tho notoriously bad roads of tho town and suburbs force tho cyclist on to tho footpath. No sooner docs he leave tho road t\yin tho omnipresent constable greets him with tho usual demand for name and 'address, and tho result is a fine of 10s and costs 7s at the Magistrate’s Court. When a cyclist comes before tho Court charged with a breach of tho Borough by-laws, it is probably correct to assume that the Magistrate has no course but to convict, but it is not unreasonable to hint that und6r tho circumstances a 'penalty of 17s appears unduly severe for such cases. One might bo pardoned for considering that a nominal penalty would be sufficient to uphold the dignity of tho law where tho offence is of so trifling a nature. Tho amount paid in fines by cyclists must amount to a tidy sum per annum, and thoro is probably no class in the community which in one way and another contributes more to the State. The direct tax by way of duty will amount to from £1 to £2 for every machine ridden. It may not be out of jilace to point out that other districts in New Zealand have faced the problem which is at present evident in Gisborne, and have achieved some success in catering for cyclists’ needs. In many parts of the outskirts of Christchurch there are special cycle paths beyond the outer edge of the ordinary footpaths, and in tho Lower Hutt township excellent provision has been made on these lines. "Where the footpath is already narrow this cannot be done, but there are many in Gisborne sufficiently wide to permit of three feet on the outer edge being set aside for the wheelmen. Until such provision is made for the legitimate needs of cyclists it is surely not unreasonable to suggest that the lau : against footpath riding should be interpreted in a lenient spirit. There are many matters in Gisborne that might profitably occupy a good deal 1 of the attention of the police which 1 seems just now to be directed with ! extraordinary vigilance against the unfortunate cyclist.