UNLIGHTED BICYCLES

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30738, 30 April 1965, Page 5

UNLIGHTED BICYCLES

Action Planned This Winter Appropriate action would be taken this winter against riders of unlighted bicycles and drivers of unlighted vehicles, said Mr J. F. Thomas, the City Council Traffic Superintendent. Mr Thomas said too many bicycles were ridden at night without lights, and it was an extremely dangerous practice, likely to result in serious or fatal injuries. Already two cyclists had died on the roads this year. Mr Thomas said cyclists had a legal obligation to use lights during the hours of darkness, in common with other road users, and the parents of child cyclists had a moral obligation to see that they did Use them. Pedestrians were also in danger during the winter. Last year nearly half of the city’s fatal accidents happened to pedestrians. Of the 15 persons who died on roads in Christchurch last year, seven were pedestrians, and five of them were killed in winter.

Mr Thomas advised all road users to put their lights on half an hour after sunset and to keep thefii on until half an hour before sunrise. They should have lights on at any time when clear visibility was down to 150 ft. Pedestrians should avoid wearing dark clothing at night and they should carry a torch if possible.