CYCLING AND MOTOR NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 894, 25 April 1907, Page 12

CYCLING AND MOTOR NOTES.

At one time the mile record used to (be valued as the most important on the list, but of late years the record for the hour has supplanted it, and is now a hot favourite with the speedsmen. At present it stands at 59 miles yards, to the credit of Guignard, the Frenchman, who is stated to be making elaborate arrangements to improve on these figures. He has been training for several weeks behind three specially-con-structed motors, and his ambition is not merely to negotiate the 60 miles in 60 minutes, but to crowd 100 kiloms. in the hou’’ —upwards )f 62 Tnii ps ! The attempt will be made on the new path in Munich, conceded to be the fastest track in the world. * * * * The novice in motoring is frequently confused by the metrical measurements used; but, if the fol 1 owing is committed to memory, it may be of great help to him: —lin. equals 25.4 m/m., Ift. equals 304.8 m/m, the litre equals 1% pints, 1 pint equals .568 litres. * * * * In the English. Tourist Trophy Race for motor cycles the fuel allowance has been fixed at one gallon for every 90 miles, and it is probable that the race will be about 160 miles in extent, in the Isle of Man. Bach machine must be a proper touring motor bicycle, with two brakes, tool-bag weighing with contents not less than 51b, motor cycle tyres not less than 2in, metal mudguards not less than 2% in, touring motor cycle saddle, and tank to carry not less than two gallons of petrol. The cylinder volume is limited to 500 cubic centimetres for each • cylinder. . Efficient silencers must be fitted, and no kind of exhaust release will be allowed. Pedalling is only to be allowed for starting and restarting in traffic, or at sharp bends on stiff gradients, excessive pedalling disqualifying. ♦ * * * There are now 900 petrol ’buses running in London, and this number will be increased to 1500 by 1908. They carried 382 million passengers during 1906, against 384 millions carried by the electric tramways, and at much less expense, with a fifth of the cost of installation. The modern petrol ’bus has already become a permanent feature in the daily life of the world’s metropolis, and is bound to grow in importance and efficiency. It will interest motorists to learn that the British authorities have just

added a new penal clause to the motor traffic regulations, with a remarkable preamble. In this the opinion is set forth that it is better to allow more liberty to the motorist and more severely punish those who abuse the liberty granted. Speed is only one factor of danger, the other and far more important factor being the want of skill with which a vehicle is driven. Consequently, the Government has decided upon allowing more liberty with increase of responsibility. In other words, the British motorist is to be controlled by the sound rule of driving to the danger of the public. Responsibility for accident is placed on the motorist, and this will serve as the best deterrent to fast driving where it is dangerous to public safety, while allowing latitude in that direction under favourable conditions. It is being recognised more widely every day that the motor vehicle, under proper control, is far and away the safest vehicle on the roads, even although its speed of travelling is two or three times that of other vehicles. * * * * In view of the oft-repeated statement that motor traffic is more destructive to life and property than other forms, statistics have been compiled for London for the last six months of 1906, and show that the danger from motor vehicles is far less than that from horsed vehicles, owing to the superior control exercised over the former. There were 656 accidents caused by the uncontrolability of the horse, against 162 by motor cars. Considering the nature of the opposition from vested interests, this new traffic regulation marks an extraordinary advance since it practically admits the superiority of the new form of locomotion over the old in an official manner. * * * * A French paper recently took a plebiscite vote to determine the most popular paced rider in Europe, and Walthour, the American crack, was placed at the top of the poll with 1533 votes, Darragon running second with 1500. It is little wonder that the French Government fosters and does all in its power to advance and popularise motoring. Last year the total cars exported from France equalled a

value of £5,514,240, or an increase of over £1,500,000 on the exports for the previous year. The value •of the motor industry to France can be gathered from these figures, which are compiled from French Government records. * * * * The Dunlop Rubber Company has made application to the League of Victorian Wheelmen for permission to hold the Warrnambool to Melbourne Road Race on Saturday, Sep* tember 28. The numerous preliminary arrangements. for eliminating tests throughout the States are well forward, and it is presumed that the Timaru to Christchurch event will take place about the first week in September. * * * * The Central London Railway lost a million passengers last year and £7OOO in receipts owing to the competition of the motor omnibuses, of which hundreds are now running in London. Such successful competition against a popular new railway service affords evidence that the motor ’bus has become a solid and permanent factor in the every-day life of Londoners.