RIGHT OF WAY FOR CYCLISTS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21096, 22 February 1934, Page 8

RIGHT OF WAY FOR CYCLISTS

BY-LAW PROPOSED DISCISSION BY CYCLING OFFICIALS A suggestion made to the by-laws committee of the Christchurch City Council, that a by-law should be framed making it compulsory f or motorists to give way to cyclists on their right at intersections, waj criticised at a meeting of the North Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Athletic, Cycling, and Axemen's Union last evening. The centre received a letter from the Town Clerk (Mr J. S. Neville) stating that the committee was considering the suggestion, and that before coming to a final decision the committee would be pleased to receive the comments of the union. After a short discussion it was decided to defer a decision on the letter until the next meeting. "I am against the proposal," said the chairman of the centre, Mr W. J. Walter, when the letter was read. "I consider that it is quite an easy thing for a cyclist to turn i\way from a motor-car coming on his right, to the left; much easier than for a motor-car to pull up and give way. A cyclist can easily go away to the left and quite safely alter his direction." A member suggested that the proposal was meant 1o apply only to intersections controlled by traffic inspectors, but the chairman stated that all intersections would conic under the by-law. "If a cycling race is in progress I think that motorists should give way," said Mr Walter, "although in that respect I have always found the motorists great 'sports,' particularly in the road races. For the riders in the Waimate to Christchurch race they invariably give way." . "The traffic by-laws of the Christchurch City Council will have to be overhauled pretty completely," commented Mr F. J. Prouting. "I always dodge the motor-cars," said Mr P. C. Lucas, the secretary.