APPEAL TO CYCLISTS

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXIII, Issue 97, 28 April 1939, Page 8

APPEAL TO CYCLISTS

MORE ACCIDENTS PREDICTED. TRANSPORT DEPARTMEN'T'S REQUEST. At the suggestion of members, the following letter, which had been received from the Commissioner of Transport, was handed to the press by the Borough Council last evening:— Statistics indicate that the number of accidents to persons riding bicycles is still too high, and with the approach of the winter months when bicycles will be used during the hours of darkness going to and from work, accidents may be expected to mount steadily. In the interests of the cyclists themselves it is essential that each machine be fully equipped and ridden according to the traffic regulations. Each machine should have an adequate light affixed; and this does not mean a torch carried in the rider's hand. A white surface of at least 12 square inches must be displayed to the rear in a place where it is not likely to be obscured by the rider or his clothes. Tn addition, an approved type of red reflector must be affixed to the rear and placed at right angles to the road so that the maximum reflection will be obtained. The Commissioner stated that he was initiating an enforcement campaign commencing on the 26th instant, with a view to having every bicycle adequately equipped, and to. ensure that riders complied with the regulations regarding riding not more than two abreast, etc. He would be pleased, he said, if all mayors and county chairmen would assist in this direction by pointing out to local residents through the local press the urgent necessity to protect themselves against risk of accident during the winter months, and by arranging for traffic inspectors to pay special attention to this

class of traffic during this period. Departmental inspectors would also assist in the enforcement of the regulations. It was also decided to refer the matter to the staffs of schools throughout the district for the instruction of children. Councillor W. J. Girling also raised the question of motorists not switching on their lights sufficiently early in the evening. "You often meet cars coming along in semidarkness without lights, and the pract.ice is particularly dangerous around corners," he added. He suggested that an effort be made to induce motorists and cyclists also to switch on their lights earlier— even if only parking lights were used.