The Press WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 1936. Control of Cyclists

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21747, 1 April 1936, Page 10

The Press WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 1936. Control of Cyclists

The suggestion of Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., that something should be done about controlling cycle traffic directs attention to a problem concerning Christchurch more than any other centre in the Dominion. It would be definitely unjust to accuse the general body of cyclists of being careless and thoughtless, but unfortunately a considerable minority earn both qualifications; and it is as much in the interests of the remainder as of other classes of traffic that some stricter control should be exercised. The careless cyclist is almost as much a menace to life and limb as the careless motorist. There are cases on record indeed where accidents have occurred through a motorist in endeavouring to avoid a thoughtless cyclist bringing disaster on others. It is not too much to say that if motorists were as habitually careless as many cyclists there would be a plague of traffic casualties in and about the city. Cyclists are entitled to their share of the road, but they often take much more than their share to the constant embarrassment of even the most skilful and careful motorists. When accidents do happen, the motorist frequently has great difficulty in establishing guiltlessness. The first difficulty is that a set of regulations might make it necessary to register cycles, but this in itself is not an overwhelming objection. There are cities where cycles are registered. But it is not necessary to have a register in order to catch erring cyclists, nor would.it be necessary to increase the number of traffic inspectors to an appreciable extent. Cyc'ists who ride at night without lights are brought before the court without trouble even though there is no registration. What is needed is a set of simple rules to be enforced so rigorously that cyclists would be compelled to respect their traffic obligations. If it were found that offenders could not be brought easily to book it would justify the infliction of salutary punishment, and it would probably be found that a few exemplary cases would have the effect of making the majority of cyclists sensibly cautious. One certain need is for a more satisfactory method of lighting cycles at night. It is necessary, too, that cyclists should be more considerate to other traffic in their use of the road. Cyclists, quite wrongfully, may. feel that in being subjected to control, they are being victimised to the profit of other traffic, but this, of course, would not be so. Only for the protection of human life is control being urged. Cyclists have become slack to their own danger, and it is plain that some remedial measures are needed now. All that is suggested is that all cyclists should be asked to exercise the same amount of care on the road as ordinarily prudent motorists and motor-cyclists. If these latter behaved as many cyclists do there would be ominous magisterial talk of hard labour and prison bars.