CONTROL CYCLISTS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 373, 15 March 1932, Page 12

CONTROL CYCLISTS.

C.A.A. to Seek City Council

Assistance. REGISTRATION SUGGESTED. Thirty-five per cent of the insurance claims under the Third Party Risks Act in the Canterbury district have been accidents in which cyclists were involved, and some means to control cyclists was strongly advocated by a deputation from the Canterbury Underwriters' Association, which waited on the Canterbury Automobile Association last evening. The deputation consisted of Messrs M. J. Russell, H. G. Hill and C. S. Thomas (representing the Canterbury Underwriters’ Association) and Mr IT. C. Rogers (representing the State Fire Office). Mr Russell, introducing the deputation, said that the idea of the deputation was to show the experiences the insurance companies had had under the operations of the Third Party Risks Act. The problem of the control of cyclists concerned Christchurch alone. If legislation was not initiated in Christchurch, it was impossible to hope for anyone else to institute it. The main question was whether the City Council would sanetion the registration of cyclists. Never yet had cyclists been prosecuted for breaches of by-laws: yet the cyclist was classed as the driver of a vehicle. There should be local legislation to control them for their own benefit. Those bicycles that had fixed wheels seldom had brakes and a cyclist had to keep going until he had enough pressure on the pedals to stop. The City Council might be approached regarding registration and re-painting of rear mudguards. Mr Rogers: With regard to the registration of cycles I rather think it will be impossible. It has been suggested that red rear lights should be used instead of the present reflectors. There have been cases of cyclists causing accidents and yet getting off scot free. Educating School Children.

Mr Thomas: A tremendous number of cyclists are prosecuted in the Courts, but not nearly as many as should be. If the City Council were informed of the huge number of deaths caused by the lack of control they might consider registration. Mr F. W. Johnston said he would like to pay a tribute to the police. Motor inspectors were on point duty during the daytime at the intersections where most of the trouble occurred. At night time the police did great work. So far as heavy fines were concerned, in these times Hie Magistrate could not fine too heavily when it meant taking bread out of the mouths of children. There was no rule or regulation in force which made cyclists give way to the right. Cyclists should be brought under the Transport Board, continued Mr Johnston. Some system of registration was essential. If the facts were brought home to the City Council it would consent to a scheme of registration. Sometimes it was the motorist who was to blame. There were lines of motor-cars parked on the city streets and this forced cyclists off that portion of the road they should be using. Parking places, even if they were municipal, should be instituted. The president (Mr W. R. Carey) : I suggest that four members of the Underwriters’ Association and four from the C.A.A. constitute a committee to consider this subject with a view to waiting on the City Council. It was decided to form the committee as suggested and invite the Pioneer Sports Club to send two members.