HC Deb 27 February 1922 vol 151 cc45-6
69. Sir A. HOLBROOK

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport if his attention has been called to the death near Northampton of a lady cyclist who, while travelling without a rear light, was knocked down by a motor car and fatally injured; and whether he will consider the issue of a regulation making it compulsory for their own safety for cyclists to carry a rear light after lighting-up time?

Mr. NEAL

My attention has been called to the accident referred to and to the verdict of the Coroner's jury, which was to the effect that the deceased had died from a fractured skull after collision with a motor-car, but that there was insufficient evidence to attribute negligence to anyone. It was their opinion that if the deceased had carried a rear light she would have been alive now. They endorsed the opinion of the Coroner as to the desirability of the enforced use of tail lamps by cyclists. On the general question of the carrying of rear lights on bicycles, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Finchley (Colonel Newman) on 15th February, of which I am sending him a copy.

Mr. T. THOMSON

Will the hon. Gentleman take into consideration, before coming to a decision as suggested in the last part of the question, the number of accidents that have occurred before and since the rear light regulation was removed?

Mr. NEAL

There are no statistics which give the information.

Sir F. HALL

What are the reasons that cyclists give for not wishing to use rear lights?

Sir F. BANBURY

Would not one of the best ways of preventing these accidents be to see that motor-cars do not travel at reckless speed?