ROAD RACING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 190, 14 August 1939, Page 6

ROAD RACING.

The collision during the cycle road race near Orewa on Saturday, when five cyclists were injured, draws pointed attention to the ne«d for greater safeguards when such races are in progress. It has been well said that "no game was ever worth a rap for a rationn* man to play in which no accident, no mishap, could possibly find its way," but the present risks of road cycling, as disclosed by Saturday's mishap, are too heavy. Though it is not to be suggested that there should be a prohibition of road racing, some better protective system should be evolved. It may be that co-operation with the Automobile Association and the use of extra patrols or an advance guard of motorists with some warning device would be useful, or some method of notifying casual road users at either end of the course or entering from side streets, would reduce the risk. Police permits are necessary at present and efforts are made to minimise risks, but something more is necessary if a useful nnd interesting sport is to continue. The damage that a careless or incompetent motorist might do is evident from the fact that Saturday's mishap arose from a collision with a motor cycle, a vehicle which is very easily controlled and whose competent rider had safely passed the leaders of the single file of racers. A conference of road racing clubs, the Automobile Association and the police would possibly be able to produce a plan which would permit a continuance of the sport in safety to both the cyclists and other users of the road.