Bicycle for Two Puzzles the Law

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 17, 21 January 1937, Page 8

Bicycle for Two Puzzles the Law

Three British judges solemnly sat in Court of Appeal at Kuala Lumpur, Federated Malay States, and argued: Is a bicyole made for two? And does an extra seat fitted to a bicycle make it a tandemf They were hearing an appeal against the decision of a magistrate not to convict a man for carrying two people on one bicycle. They found the problem too complicated to solve at one sitting, so judgment was reserved, says the B.U.P. Mr Justice Whitley remarked: “Can you convert an ordinary bicycle into a bicyole for two by attaching a seat to U? Sometimes in England you see a wicker seat tacked on the cross-bar. ’’ Public Prosecutor: You cannot convert a one-seater bicycle into a two-seat-er. It would be possible to sit on the handlebars or the cross-bar. 1 have done it myself in my youth. Acting Chief Justice (Mr Justice a Beckett Terrell): You sit on a baby car by sitting on the wing or the bonnet. Does that make an extra seat? Mr Justice Whitley: It is rather difficult to say. When I was in England 1 took my son on a pedal bicycle and he sat behind. I still had control over the bicycle. Mr Justice Aitken: It is very difficult to define a seat. Something designed to carry a persoj, I should say. And there the matter stands (or is seated) for the time being.