CYCLISTS AND HUTT ROAD

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 62, 15 March 1933, Page 8

CYCLISTS AND HUTT ROAD

(To {he Editor.) Sir,—-In reply to Sir. Alfred E. Milne, ■who in your issue of March .13 wrote taking exception to my remarks regarding cyclists at a recent meeting of the City and Suburban. Highways Board: I can only conclude that this gentleman has misconstrued my motive, -which- was to assist .the cyclists and press rhis claim for an improvement o£ the Hutt Road cycle track. In speaking at the meeting I stated they were entitled to, consideration, 'the bicycle being their means o£ transport, pleasure, etc., and 'concluded by saying that the shocking, state of. the track was driving them on to the road, where they were a danger to themselves and a menace to motorists. , ■ My reason for this wa"s not to blame the cyclist, but to show the risks they were inclined to take owing to the bad state o£ the ytrack. It is a real and grave risk which is obvious to any road user, and I should have thought the club secretary would have been the first to warn his members not only not to break the bylaw prohibiting cycles on this road, but to warn them of the likelihood of a serious accident. A driverl is keeping a lookout for motor vehicles, when suddenly /he comes on a small and poorly-lighted (compared with cars) cycle, which he does not expect, and should not be there. It is there the danger lies, and that is the reason why. it is far more dangerous on this road than on other roads over which cyclists. have free use. This fact is known to motorists, who as a result keep a look-out for all road users.

As for the last paragraph of your correspondent's letter, I treat that as it deserves, and will conclude b"y stating that I feel that cyclists have a strong claim for. an improvement of the Hutt Road cycle track, and will continue my efforts to have the work carried out.j-I am, etc.,

, r , H. W. SHORTT, . Member City and Suburban Highways Board.