PILLION-RIDING QUESTION
IS IT SAFE ? The question "Is Pillion-riding Safe?" has been a live question in Wellington recently, says the Radiator. A local magistrate gave it as his opinion that this form of transport was unsafe, and he could not understand why local authorities permitted it. We do not know upon what grounds the magistrate based his opinion, or what qualifications he had to express such an opinion, but the warning‘coming from such a source stirred up some of the members of the Wellington City Council, and there was at once a suggestion for the passing of a, by-law to prohibit pillion-riding in Wellington. This suggestion raised a storm of protest among motor cycle riders, and the daily press was flooded with letters of protest. At a public meeting held in the Town Hall, attended by. some 500 interested parties, the question was very fully discussed, and resolutions were carried protesting against any -such by-law being passed. An investigation of the causes of accidents fails to prove that pillionriding is less safe than other forms of transport in general use.
The evidence of experienced riders goes to prove that a motor cycle is less liable to accident with a pillion passenger than with a rider alone. This question has been very thoroughly investigated in England, which is the stronghold of motor cycling, and the British Government's attitude was laid down by the Minister of Transport in the House of Commons, on February 8, 1926, when he stated: "On the information before me I do not consider that a case has been made out to justify the introduction of legislation prohibiting the practice of pillion-riding.’’ The Royal Automobile Club of England has also interested itself in the matter, and maintains that pil-lion-riding is a safe and economical method of travel for two persons, providing that the three following essentials are complied with — 1. The pillion-rider must always sit astride.
2. Rests must be provided on which the passenger can place his or her feet.
3. A seat of some description, either a spring seat, a thick cushion, or something similar must be provided for the passenger to sit upon.
At the Wellington meeting plenty of ; evidence was submitted, which went to show that, there was no reason from the point of safety to pro-, hiblt • pillion-Tiding, although it was generally accepted that conditions somewhat similar to those laid down by. the R.A.C. might be necessary. The storm of protest raised in Wel-
lington appears to have nipped the suggestion in the bud, but it may. be. raised in other centres, and : the reason for these notes is to advise those interested to strongly resist ..any, sych by-laws being made by , a local authority. In our opinion the evidence Islso strong in favour of the practice that it would not be possible .lor any. such by-law to be framed if those interested placed all the facts before the local authority.
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Shannon News, 10 June 1927, Page 4
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488PILLION-RIDING QUESTION Shannon News, 10 June 1927, Page 4
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