PILLION RIDING

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 87, 9 October 1935, Page 10

PILLION RIDING

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —I note, with amazement, a" report in tonight's "Post" of a meeting of the executive committee of the Wellington <• Automobile Association at which it was officially suggested, at the request of the Women's Division of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, that motor-cycle pillion riding should be abolished on the grounds of its danger. This suggestion was made, presumably, in all seriousness by a responsible body of men, whom I take this opportunity of warning against the danger of such moves without due consideration of the facts.

On reference to the "N.Z. Year Book" and "Annual Report on Vital Statistics," I find the following facts:— Motor vehicle fatatities (1933) 110 Motor cars registered .... 127,753 Motor cycle fatalities ........ 10 Motor cycles registered ...... 25,105

This means approximately onetwelfth of 1. per cent, motor fatalities to registrations, and only 1-25 of 1 per cent, cycle fatalities to registrations! This conclusively explodes the fallacy of the danger (?) of motorcycling. ■■■;■■•

The policy of the association seems to be one of running all vehicles except motor-cars off the road, giving scant consideration to any others who have as perfect a right to" the highways as A.A? members.'

The statement, "It is hair-raising to see a motor-cycle, with a girl on the pillion, tearing along-the road," calls for some comment. Quoting again from the "Annual Report on Vital Statistics," it is interesting to note that whereas 27 females were fatally injured in motor-car accidents in 1933, the similar total for motor-cycles was only two! These facts will be readily seen to show that, far from being the dangerous thrill A.A. members would have us believe, pillion riding, in comparison with motoring, has a very low mortality rate.

I would suggest that the A.A. could better occupy its time in putting its own house in order instead of'interfering with the rights and privileges of other road-users.—l am, etc., MOTOR-CYCLIST. October 8.