Unlighted cycles

Press, 17 July 1980, Page 14

Unlighted cycles

Sir, — I thank Caroline Cartwright of the Consumer’s Institute, for her letter (July 14). That such an author*

itative body should decry the standard of lighting available proves that something needs desperately to be done tp raise the standard of lights available in New Zealand. I do not feel that registration of cycles, as suggested by J. P. Senior (July 14) is the answer. There is no point in attacking the solution to a problem and.not its cause. While I do not condone such action, I feel that many cyclists are bound to ride without lights if they feel that the lights available offer little added protection. Registration involves many added problems such as: registration fees (which would have to be paid by young school pupils), the costs of administering such a scheme, difficulties inherent in the frequent change of ownership of bicycles and so on. It also involves a restriction on the freedom of cyclists. — Yours, etc.. V. M. ONSLOW. July 14, 1980.

Sir, — Despite the claims and counter-claims of your correspondents, the fact remains that there are some very effective cycle lights available (ones that go up and down are best) yet many cyclists go out with ineffective lights, or no lights, and dark clothing. My theory is that this is simply an example of Darwinian, “natural selection.” This explains the Ministry of Transport’s obvious reluctance to interfere. The Ministry must realise that this is a natural process and nothing can be done for cyclists who are that stupid. — Yours, etc., DAVID COLLINS, Governor’s Bay. July 14, 1980.