THE UNLIGHTED BICYCLE.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20623, 12 August 1932, Page 6

THE UNLIGHTED BICYCLE.

RISKS TAKEN BY RIDERS. DIFFICULTIES OF MOTORISTS. The strong criticism of the practice of many cyclists of riding at night without rear reflectors or white-painted rear mud-guards, which was voiced at a recent meeting of the council of the Auckland Automobile Association, has resulted in further expressions of opinion by both motorists and cyclists. The discussion has been advanced a stage further bv the recent decision of the Auckland City Council to request the Government to' make it compulsory for all evclists to carry a rear lamp, and a variety of opinions on the advisability of this move has been expressed. In Christchurch a white-painted rear mud-guard and a reflector are regarded as sufficient. There can be no doubt that unlighted bicycles are far too common in and round Auckland, and many accidents, some with fatal results for the rider, occur annually, states the "New Zealand Herald." It is possible that the average cyclist has had little or 110 experience of motoring, as otherwise he would realise how extremely difficult, almost impossible in fact, it. is for a driver to distinguish an unlighted cycle on a wet night. In the first place, even the most powerful head-lamps lose most of their intensity on a wet concrete or bitumen road, and, moreover, the most modem windscreen wipers cannot give the driver the perfect vision he has when tho screen is dry. Most drivers slow down under such conditions, but even 15 or 20 miles an hour is fast enough for a car to knock over and possibly injure a cyclist. Seen directly from the rear, a bicycle is such an insignificant object that, under had driving conditions, it will possibly escape a motorist's eye unless there is a lamp or a highly efficient reflector to atttract attention. Value of Reflectors.

Under the law, all cyclists are required to carry a red reflector mounted in such a way that the beams from the head-lights of an overtaking car will cause it to sparkle, and in some districts, one of which is Auckland City, riders are further required to have either a portion of their rear mud-guards or rear forks painted white. A glance at the machines in any place where a number of cycles are frequently parked, will prove beyond question that a surprisingly large proportion of them have neither reflector nor white-painted mud-guard. Owners of such machines must have unbounded faith in the skill and powers' of observation of all motorists, as they apparently trust the car driver not to hit them, and do not attempt to make their presence known. Many of the reflectors fitted to cycles, if mounted properly, would no doubt be of considerable assistance to motorists by enabling them to distinguish the machine, but, as they are at present attached, they are of no use whatever. Some are set at such an angle that they do not commence to glow until a car is a few feet away; others would require a beam from tlie sky to show them up, and a few, coyly hidden behind toolbags, do not glow at all. Most of the reflectors are entirely covered in mud, and so inoperative, whilo more than a few are merely useless ornaments. A good, large reflector, set low and at the correct angle, certainlv is of value, but there are few of this type. The Cyclist's Viewpoint.

Among the objections raised by cyclists to the proposed compulsory rear lamps is that of expense. While a'small rear light, either of the oil-burning; acetylene, or electric type, would undoubtedly be more expensive than a reflector, the difference would amount only to a few shillings, a small price to pay for what practically amounts to insurance against being accidentally run down and almost certainly injured. A number of cyclists, however, have stated that their own experience of small rear lights other than those of the electric type has been that the slightest jar is sufficient to extinguish them, and that a rider may start with h lighted lamp and continue in the belief it is burning, whereas in actual fact it has been out for some time. If this theory is correct cycles would probably be better equipped with a series of reflectors, although there would appear to be a ready market for an improved type of rear lamp for bicycles. There can be no doubt that the present position is unsatisfactory, and although the point has 'been raised by motorists it was not intended in any way as an attempt to drive two-wheel-ers off the road, but in the interests of the _ bicyclists themselves. While difficulties may exist in finding a satisfactory method of providing a rear light for bicycles, riders must surely realiso that their own safety depends upon their machines being sufficiently noticeable to enable a motorist to pass and leave plenty of room for the smaller machine to progress in safety. Prosecutions against motorists and motor-cycl-ists for travelling with no tail-light are frequent, but it is comparatively rare for a bicyclist to be proceeded against for using a machine almost invisible from the rear. While cyclists continue to disregard the law accidents are inevitable, for although no motorist would deliberately smash into a twpwhoeler, a driver cannot avoid another road-user whom he can neither see nor hear.

PREVENTING ACCIDENTS.

TWELVE SAFETY RULES

A well-known American traflb authority offers the followiug interesting series of 12 safety rules designed to cut automobile accidents to a minimum:—

Don't pass on'hills or blind curves—you might just as well drive blind folded.

Don't challenge the right of way—if in doubt, take no chances. Don't fail to signal all turns—the fellow behind is no mind reader. Don't cut corners—that's the other fellow's territory, and he might claim it. Don't cut in sharply after passing—the driver behind hates the ditch as much as you do. Don't cut out suddenly from behind a parked car—it may 'be both the start and finish of your trip. Don't weave all over the highwav—that's why there's a centre line. Don't attempt to beat a stoplightit might beat you. Don|t come to sudden stops without signalling—rear end crashes are costly. Don't lag in traffic—you have ~ no right to delay those behind. Don't take a chance on faulty brakes or tyres—it's a saving you'll regret in the long run. Don't be reckless at anytime—you jeopardise not only your own life, but] the other fellow's as well.