"WEAR HELMETS."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 213, 9 September 1935, Page 8

"WEAR HELMETS."

ADVICE TO CYCLISTS. MIGHT LESSEN INJURIES. OPINION OF MAGISTRATE. 1 The suggestion that injuries received in motor cycle accidents would be Tcss serious if the riders were to wear helmets, was made this morning by Mr. F. K. Hunt. S.M., in opening the inquest on William Walker, a lad of 18, who died in tlio hospital on Saturday as the result of injuries received in a motor cycle accident the previous day. After evidence of identification had been given by the lad's father, Mr. William Walker, of 103, Aequith Avenue, Mount Albert, TMr. Hunt made his suggestion. He said in the majority of, cases some injury was done to the head, because that was the natural part of the body to strike. If cyclists could wear some .sort of a helmet for protection, he thought that injuries would be less serious and lives might be saved. He would like to see the provision of helmets made compulsory.

RACING RIDER'S VIEWS

Support for the suggestion o f Mr. Hunt is given by Mr. ' Cas." Goodwin, one of the best-known racing motor cyclists in Auckland. He said that into tiie ordinary riding helmet might bo incorporated a small cap, something like those worn by jockeys. That would protect the head in many accidents, where now the person involved injured his head. The head, he said, from his experience was the most vulnerable part and the most in need of protection. He realised that such a cap would not be of much use in a major accident; but, then, in such a case nothing would. The cap would be at least some help. The jockey's cap, he said, was light and would not be obvious if it were incorporated in the manner suggested. Mr. Goodwill raised another point. Half of the accidents in which motor cycles were involved, he affirmed, were the fault of the rider. "A young chap." lie said, "buys a machine and wants to try her out. He gets on to a road, opens up the throttle, puts his head down and thinks he is doing about 100 miles an hour. He isn't. He's doing about 40. But the next thing lie knows is that he has hit something or somebody. In my opinion every young rider should he schooled in the best use of his machine. He should belong to a club or some similar organisation, where ho could be taught something about a motor cycle. If he wants to speed let him get out on a beach or somewhere, where he can harm only himself if be meets with an accident." Mr. Goodwin made it quite plain that he was not in any way referring to the young man whose accident led him to make his remarks. He was speakin? generally. He recognised the force of Mr, Hunt's remarks, because motor cycle accidents were increasing in frequency.