What Parliament Thinks About Warning Lights on Cycles.
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THE vexed question of the voluntary invisibility of the cyclist at night was further impresSed upon the public mind by the action of Capt. Brass in introducing last week into the House of Commons, under the ten minutes' ride, a Bill to make compulsory the carrying of rear reflectors on cycles. By 263 votes to 71, the House of Commons gave leave to introduce the Bill, which was read a first time. This, however, does not ensure further progress. All the Fridays available for private members' Bills are already allotted by ballot and, as this measure is not one of those which may slip through the second reading after eleven o'clock. when the House is in complaisant mood, probably nothing more will be beard of it this session.
The proposal of Capt. Brass is a compromise between the rear light and total obscurity. He recognized the difficulty of oil lamps going out and rendering the cyclist liable to prosecution. Memories of his own experiences in the early days of motoring with oil lamps made him sympathetic towards that part of the cyclists' case, but be maintained the efficacy of a suitably made and properly placed red reflector, although opinions differ 'regarding the practical advantages of a reflector.
The urgency of the need for some protection for both cyclist and motor driver is amply demonstrated by the frequency of accident and the probability of an ever-increasing frequency. The number of cyclists has grown greatly since the war. Capt. Brass estimates the present number to he between 5,000,000 and 6,000.000, whilst the 1.250,000 motor vehicles are being added to at the rate of 3,000 a week.
There was no misunderstanding about the feeling of the majority of members on the subject when the Bill was brought forward. Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy somewhat explosively voiced the opinions of the cyclists, asserting that, if the cyclist were better distinguished, the motorist would drive faster than ever at night, to the danger of all users of roads. He made some fun B18 about tying reflectors round horses' necks and on the backs of lovers walking in the country roads, but he failed to get down to a categorical or reasoned argument that might carry weight.
One object has been served in the puesentation of the Bill. It has demonstrated that a large majority in the House of Commons are earnestly in favour of getting rid of the present suicidal practice of concealment in night traffic. If the compulsory carrying of efficient reflectors does not get a fair trial we may be assured that the policy recommended by various committees of compelling every cyclist to carry a rear light will be put into operation at no distant date.