She says . . .

Press, 24 April 1980, Page 21

She says . . .

We’re now getting well into the most dangerous part of the year for cyclists and motorcyclists, as well aS pedestrians. All of us on four wheels need to remember how very vulnerable, and how very hard to see, are those on two wheels. Those who cycle or motor-cycle need to remember that their only protection against accidents, apart from quick reflexes/ lies in being easily seen. A year or so ago, after a campaign along these lines, many motor-cyclists took to using , their machines’ headlights day and night. Most seemed to give up after a few months, but it did help, and they should certainly turn on their lights as soon as visibility is reduced, even if they aren’t prepared to leave thm on all the time.

It’s a different story with push-cyclists, of course. Their lights are useless in daylight, and some aren’t much better at night. Pushing .a dynamo can be hard work, and battery lights are expensive to keep “fuelled.” Still, using the lights is a matter of survival — and so is making sure that there is plenty, of reflector tape and reflectors on , the rear of the cycle. Thre’s a lot

to be said, too,, for those battery-powered cycle safety lights designed to be attached to a cyclist’s lower leg, so that the movement of them alone immediately attracts attention. Used in conjunction with the cycle’s existing lights, I think they’re excellent. These days, it’s probable that most of the cyclists on our roaejs at dawn and dusk are youngsters. It’s up to parents to make sure that their children’s cycles have effective lighting systems, and that the young riders use them. I’d also strongly recom-' mend the use of plenty of reflector tape, and espe cially the use of those light-reflecting belts or sashes similar to those' worn by traffic officers and ambulancemen, at night. — Barbara Petre