PERIL ON THE ROADS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 April 1930, Page 2

PERIL ON THE ROADS

COMMENT ON CYCLING FATALITY.

AUCKLAND, April 28

In an editorial to-dev’s “Star” says: In view of the tragic consequences of the collision between two groups of cyclists at Mangere on Saturday, it is a painful duty to protest against such reckless conversion of public thoroughfares into race tracks. The danger is obvious and it affects not only the competitors hut the general public as well. Apparently it has been, the practice to use the roads in Manukau County for cycle racing for four years past and the fact that there had been no accident hitherto, though one was narrowly averted last year, has- been taken to justify the repetition of these hazardous experiments. The Manukau County Council had not even been approached to grant a. permit and on Saturdays this well-used ljighwav has, been at times turned into a cycle track, with two bodies of cyclists riding hard along it in opposite directions. A heavy responsibility rests on the local authorities in such a case, as well as on those who have organised these competitions. The rapid growth of motoring and the. extensive use of motor-cycles have • produced a dangerous congestion of traffic on all our roads, especially during the week-ends and it is reckless and inexcusable folly to inflict further superfluous risks upon the travelling public without attempt ing to devise safeguards against the probably consequences.