THE MOTOR CYCLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 12, 15 January 1926, Page 9

THE MOTOR CYCLE.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Your article of 12th stated that motor cycles are the most dangerous j machines on wheels. Allow mc to say that such is not the case. All the control levers arc literally at the rider's finger tips. By the moving of his fingers, and j without removing his hands from the bars, he can withdraw the clutch, open [or close the throttle, or apply the brakes. jlt therefore follows that there is no i reason at all for the machine to get out jof control or'skid, so long as the rider keeps a clear head and watches where he is going. For some unappa.ent reason many people, especially motorists, jhave a deeply rooted prejudice against motor cyclists, but for a cheap, reliable and safe means of getting about; they cannot be beaten. —I am, etc., TRUTH. (To the liditor.) Sir, —Unfortunately there have been several serious accidents to motor cyclists recently, but I must take strong exception to the alarming statements of both the doctor and the motoring "expert" you reported. The doctor's ridiculous statement that the casualty ward is always full of young men who have met with accidents while riding motorcycles can easily be disproved by inquiry in the proper quarter. As the secretary of a racing and touring motorcycle club, consisting of nearly fifty members, I can definitely state that only one member has sustained an injury (and quite a minor one) whilst riding during the past three years. However, to pro\-e his contentions about the danger of motor cycles to be absurd, I have much pleasure in challenging the motoring "expert" to the three following tests: He in his car and mc on my motorcycle (both to be ordinary touring models); -first, acceleration; second, deceleration, and third, slow driving. Each of these go to make safe driving when applied as necessary. In conclusion, as a motor-cyclist of many years standing, may I advise my younger confreres in this exhilarating pastime, never to drive faster than the conditions warrant, to keep their machines and controls in perfect order, and to watch out for motoring "experts" performing a "slight skid" round corners. Then their days will be long, etc.—l am. etc.. G.H. (To the Editor.) Sir, —Motor cycles are a menace to human life, says a writer in your columns, they tend for careless driving. But why do they tend to careless driving? Is it not {he other way about that being "so hard to control" more care must be exercised in the safe controlling of them. No, sir, your "expert" must be a car salesman. Such an argument is stupid and ridiculous in the extreme. He says that there are more careless motor cycle drivers than ear drivers. How mam- timee have motor cycles hit safety zones? How many times I have motor cyclists collided with centrepoles and tram cars? How many times have motor cyclists been arrested for being drunk whilst driving a motor cycle? How many times have motor cyclists been tried for manslaughter? Very, very seldom. But how about those careful motor car drivers. With all their care, they figure every day in cases like those just mentioned. "The main idea of the motor cycle is speed." This quite wrong. It is possible to crawl along the road at a walking pace I with a motor cycle. I am prepared to prove my statement on a machine of my own selection. Not only am I prepared to do this, but there are quite a few others who are prepared to. do the same. Your expert declares that a side-car outI fit is safer than solo. I say that a side- ' car is more dangerous than a solo machine. Ask those that drive them. Sir. my candid opinion or your article is that your expert \~. a oar salesman, whose car sales are dropping in favour of motor cycle sales, and who is desirous 'of starting a campaign that will swell ihis bank account. I may be wrong, but one thing I am certain of he has never ridden a decent English motor cycle.— I am, etc- . GEAR BC&.