CYCLE TRACKS IN LOWER HUTT

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 117, 20 May 1930, Page 17

CYCLE TRACKS IN LOWER HUTT

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —The gratitude" of all cyclists is due to Councillors Griersoa- and Ilobbs, o£ Lower Hutt, in drawing attention to the fact that cyclist;; travelling north have to cross the lines of traffic to reach the cycle track in Railway avenue, and again when leaving it at the new bridge. -They might have gone further, and pointed out that the lines of traffic have again to be crossed in order to reach the cycle track just north. of the main part of the borough, and yet again when the track ceases. Thanks are/also duo to the Mayor of Lower Hutt, Sir Alexander Roberts, for pointing out that cyclists would have no farther to travel, and would be much safer, if they used the Western Hutt road, and then connected with the main road via the old bridge. There are doubtless large numbers of cyclists who will try that router, once, at any rate, on his suggestion. But -why should cyclists be safer on one road than on another ? \Surely Sir Alexander does not suggest that motorcars are dangerous, and that cyclists would be well advised, never to use'the same road as a motor-car? Following such an argument to its logical conclusion, cycle tracks would be necessary on both sides of every road in the Dominion. Who is going to foot the bill? And who wants cycle tracks, anyway? I liave never met a cyclist yet who had a word in their favour. They are entirely unnecessary, and their presence, and use, only encourages speedingon the part of a certain section of motorists, since the road is thus naturally cleared of what they are pleased to term "obstructions." One hears a great deal about the oppressed motorist,.harassed with all sorts of stupid regulations. But as far as Lower Hutt is concerned, the Borough Council has already gone the limit, by forbidding cyclists to use the bitumen portion of the road. And this despite the fact that in Lower Hutt bicycles outnumber motor vehicles by at least three to one.—l am, etc., . ■ « ALFRED E. MILNE, Hon. Secretary, Cyclists' Touring Club, ' N.Z.D.A.