CYCLISTS' CONTROL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 145, 21 June 1935, Page 8

CYCLISTS' CONTROL.

SYSTEM OF REGISTRATION. CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS. In reporting to the Otahuhu Borough Council last night., the traffic inspector, Mr. A. Breed, snid that as a result of the recent complaints regarding cyclists riding without lights and riding two abreast in Otahuhu, and as a result of the substantial increase in road traffic, he had given unremitting attention to the problem of securing compliance with the regulation, so that a maximum amount of safety \Vould be assured for all users of the road. One of the greatest difficulties confronting inspectors was that offending cyclists gave false names and addresses. After pointing out that the question was both a metropolitan and a national one, the inspector suggested that a conference of all local bodies in the district with their traffic inspectors be arranged to discuss the matter with a view to seeking legislation for the control of cycling on something like the following linos: — (1) All cycles to be registered by their owners in the district in which they reside, and the local authority registering them to issue a numbered metal disc or tag to the owners; a fee of 1/ per registration to be charged. (2) All cycles to be compelled to carry a light both at the front and the rear of the machines between the hours of half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise, except between the period from April 30 to July 31. In that period the cycles to have lights carried between sunset and sunrise. (3) The prohibiting of cyclists riding more than two abreast and an instruction that cycle traffic shall keep to the left-hand edge of the traffic way. (4) Provision to be made whereby any constable or inspector, being not satisfled with the information as to identity offered by any cyclist, shall be empowered to take possession of the cycle until the offender's identity is established. "I am definitely of opinion that steps must bo taken to make road conditions' safer for both motorist and cycljst." said the inspector. "The increase in both forms of traffic lias materially increased even over last year's figures. Until regulations on lines similar to the above suggestions are brought into operation the dangers will not a hate."

On the motion of the Mayor, Mr. C. R. Petrie, it was decided to call a conference at Otahuhu on July 3.