Unlighted cycles

Press, 14 July 1980, Page 16

Unlighted cycles

Sir,—The Consumers’ Institute has been established in New Zealand now for 21 years. At the local level the district committee has been responsible for recommending that certain tests and investigations be made. Recently this has included the testing of cycle lights reported in Consumer, June 1980, and referred to by Tim Kerr (July 9). This investigation is particularly relevant to Christchurch city and in the interests of road safety and the prevention of cycle accidents. Consumers should seek a higher standard of cycle light. Bicycles are expensive and so are reliable lights but I believe cyclists should be bright, be seen and be safe.—Yours, etc., CAROLINE CARTWRIGHT.

Chairman, District committee of Consumers’ Institute. July 9, 1980.

Sir.—As a driving instructor. I am appalled over the lack of lights on cycles and agree with H. E. Wright (July 7). Simple reflective accessories are also available but are only used by the safety-conscious few. We often hear cyclists complaining of the danger of riding at night and how they need protection from motorists. 1 wonder if they realise how difficult it is to see them on poorly lit cycles and wearing dark clothing. The few who have reflective accessories are easily seen especially at intersections and in poorly lit areas.—Yours, etc., LOIS EAGLE. July 19, 1980.

Sir, —As a regular cyclist I read with dismay Tim Kerr’s letter (July 9) regarding bicycle illumination. To be sure, many cycle lights are poorly made but that is no justification for not displaying- lights at all. There are reasonable lamps available despite what the <>>isumer Institute says, and any light is better than no light at all. In Hagley park afier dark, unlit cycles are a -cal

threat. A friend who is a careful and considerate driver has related to me three separate incidents in the last few weeks where he has nearly hit cyclists not displaying lights. Although motorists frequently have no consideration for cyclists I feel this is a case where the opposite holds true. —Yours, etc..

DAVID R. WISTERNOFF July 9, 1980.

Sir, — Regarding Tim Kerr’s letter about unlighted cycles (July 9), I ask if he agrees that my defence statement, should I run down a cyclist with my car, cf “Why should I care; they don’t, last long anyway,” is acceptable? It is just as logical as his excuse. — Yours, etc.,

ART SHEPHERD. July 9, 1980.

Sir, —It is obvious parents do not buy lights for their children’s cycles because of the exorbitant prices and poor quality. Fluorescent bands, strips and reflectors are better than nothing. Lne last dynamo set I got for my cycle cost $ll and was soon out of order. Today a new one of better quality, so I am told, costs $lB. Some time ago I was looking at an old cycle oil lamp made like a gun to last, and it gave a good clear light. Dynamo cables are messy and soon break. Manufacturers should be able to run a cable through the steel tubular frame, terminated for easy connection.—Yours,- etc., A. DELHANTY. July 11, 1980.

Sir, — Considering the number of cyclists hit or just missed during daylight hours, what chance has a lit cyclist at night? Being a cyclist who averages 80km a day, I use a dyno-unit backed by rechargeable batteries, so I am lit when stopped or ascending hills slowly. This doesn’t prevent motorists scraping my elbows when overtaking. The most successful warnings are flashing leg lights, tithough considered not legal on their own. I will continue their use no matter what, as motorists give wide berths when overtaking. I am sorry your correspondents seem to be of the opinion that cyclists should get out of the way instead of taking the precaution of overtaking as described in the Road Code. Motorists should travel more slowly, be more observant; cyclists should adequately light their cycles. Motorists have a few legitimate complaints. — Yours, etc., B. C. SALISBURY. July 11, 1980.

Sir,—l refer to the letter from H. E. Wright (July 7). from H. E. Wright (July ■ 7). Your readers may be interested to know that no action is being taken by the Ministry of Transport over unlighted bicycles. 1 have had this answer from several senior traffic officers, and have been advised that the reason is the difficulty of identifying the offender. This surely is a reason for some form of bicycle registration as used in other countries. One form which I have seen, is the use of a small numbered disc which is purchased from the local authority for about 15 cents. This is fixed under one of the front axle nuts, and is clearly visible. There is a bonus, in that the scheme discourages bicycle theft. On average, I pass about 10 completely unlighted bicycles each night,

and all of these riders are at risk of their lives.—Yours, etc.,

J. P. SENIOR. July 7, 1980.

[The senior chief traffic officer in Christchurch, Mr E. E. Dunlop, replies: “Your correspondent has been correctly informed as to the difficulty experienced in iden- ■■ tifying cyclists, but his statement that the Ministry takes no action in the matter of cycling offences is. incorrect, as the night, shifts are quite diligent in' this regard. I agree with-Mr Senior that the riders of unlit cycles are at risk and my concern is not for the foolish and inconsiderate cyclist who gets injured or killed because he uses no lights, but for the driver who is off-times caught in a situation which is not of his making. Any move to introduce a system of registering cycles is up to the Government of the day.”]