BELLS ON BIKES.

Northern Advocate, 17 June 1920, Page 3

BELLS ON BIKES.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,— According to your report of the Borough Council meeting, Mr Moore sought and obtained authority to embark upon a raid amongst cyclists whose machines had no bells attached.

Now, Sir, it might be interesting to recall the fact that, in about 1908, in Christchurch—where there are more cyclist s proportionately than anywhere else in New Zealand, probably in Australasia—the council tried to enforce the antiquated by-law there. So great was the resentment of riders that hundreds hung cow bells, etc., upon their machines, and the civic fathers were very glad to relax the regulation. A&yone who has ridden a bicycle in a city will know that it is true that more accidents arise through pedestrians being startled by the sudden alarm bell, which causes a difference in the speed of their movements either way, than can ever be charged against silent limning bicycles, the riders of which use their judgment in negotiating, their way. . A rider can tell immediately and instinctively how to get past a pedestrian safely under ordinary conditions, but if that pedestrian becomes startled by the bell (and it happens to a certain degree invariably), the rider's calculations and intuition are immediately upset.

With motor cycles the need for an alarm really exists, because, being mechanically controlled, the little extra speed, or instantaneous application of brakes, is not so readily possible. Moreover, tho noise created makes the instinct of impending danger susceptible immediately to the pedestrian. Consequently, although probably he would not admit the fact, the person in the way becomes unconsciously agitated, and the early ringing of a bell or tooting of a horn is necessary to allay his semifear and to give him time to "get hold of himself," note consciously the direction from which the alarm comes, decide what he intends to do to seek safety, and to do it. Of course it is all done in a fraction of time.

Although perhaps it may be argued that the same psychological truth boars upon an alarm created by the noise of a bicycle at close quarters, it must be borne in mind that, in the case of a bell-less bicycle, the startled person has much less time to act after the natural impression of impending danger has been aroused, and also that the cyclist has had SO much moTe time in which to instinctively gauge his distances and time available to negotiate a passage without danger to himself or the person whom he passes. A little thought will make that clear, and also that the onus ..is upon the cyclist to choose his track; not upon the pedestrian to provide it for him.

There is another great truth; tho cyclist is invariably as anxious to avoid a collision as is the pedestrian. Mr Moore does not ride a bicycle, and with the exception of Messrs Pickmere, Cutforth and oceasi. nally Mr Jackson, the cycling days of the councillors have passed. No doubt, when they rode bicycles, the machines were considered infernal contraptions likely to cause tremendous harm, just as Stevenson's first engine was. But the bicycle is really not as dangerous (provided it is lighted at night) as cattle in the mam streets, and they have not killed anyone: not yet. Mr Moore should be instructed to treat the by-law demanding bells on bicycles just as the antishouting laws are treated, until such time as the Council wishes to revise its by-laws and bring" them abreast of the times. Trusting that the above views reflect those of all, excepting, under the circumstances the cycle-accessory dealers. —I am, etc.. PRO BONO PUBLICO.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —From Tuesday night 's issue 1 learn that the borough inspector wants to enforce the by-law re bicycle bells. As a cyclist t. desire to state that bells on cycles are regarded as a nuisance: Those who hir-c them never w.e them, ac they contuse Ihe pedestrians. For myself, I have always considered that if a cyclist sii. .. io the old rule, i.e., "Go in front of a woman and behind a man," he will never run into anybody. Perhaps they would lie useful though in for.Yng- a way through cattleon our cGU7_tr_.i,?_i main ..reef:; —I am, etc., CYCLIST.