SAFETY OF CYCLISTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 36, 11 August 1934, Page 26

SAFETY OF CYCLISTS

REAR LIGHT ADVOCATE

The great majority of cyclists still appear to think that the responsibility for their personal safety when awheel should rest not 611 themselves but upon' tho drivers of overtaking ■ vehicles whose speed at all times should enable Ithem iii ample time to perceive, by their'lights, all traffic ahead (states a Cape Town writer).

Anyone witb road experience, knows the impracticability of such a counsel of perfection... Even ..he most careful drivers can. record, narrow .escapes from 'running down cyclists through tho absence of a' reflefctor .of one .of inferior quality or improperly mounted. The danger is. aggravated further. by the glaring headlights ot^passing cars, but in any case it is aNnerve-racking task to. guard against, overtaken cyclists. . . , ,

Just as much us, others, cyclists must realise that they have a duty, not only to themselves "but to their fellow roadusers, and. tho easiest way in which they can discharge that duty is by ensuring that they can be easily distinguished, at night. He mentions that there has been, report of making 'compulsory in South Africa the white painting of rear mudguards, the suggestion having been scut forward 'to the _ Traffic Control Committee from overseas experience, but he is not impressed with tho idea. Reflectors, he says, are more satisfactory, though • it. must be remembered that there are reflectors and reflectors, only tho type that concentrates and reflects the light rays straight back to the driver's oye being effective. But even their effectiveness depends upon the -.lamps, of the overtaking, vehicle, and so he is forced to the conclusion that the only really satisfactory safeguard is a separate lamp or a com-bined-front ami back light, as adopted, by some cyclists. .

Headlights are apt to become dim if the contacts are not kept free from corrosion, as a resistance is set up. The contacts are rather difficult .to gel; at;,. but tho following :is a simple method of cleaning them. . Cut a small disc of sandpaper, about iin in diameter, and- attach it with a suitable adhesive to'the flat end of a pericil or a piece of ' dowellirig.' Remove the bulb, insert .the' improvised tool: into the socket, and turn it . against the contacts until they are quite clean.