Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-27
BICYCLES IN THE PARK.
More About Mondays observation-disclosures
OF the Wheelnen.

Baltimore American, April IS.
There is every indication that the contentious
which have arisen in New York and other large
metropolitan cities in consequence Of the intro
duction of the bicycle will be eXperience6in this
city, and it is not improbable that an appeal may
be made TO the courts to assert or deny the
rights of the bicyelists to the use Of the public
thOrOughfares. The accident to the carriage of
Mr.. Henry McShane. mentioned in Yesterdays
papers, by which several ladies' were thrown out
and injured, has drawn special attention to this
subject, as in the first reports it was charged
that the horses were frightened by bicyclers
The following letter, written with reference: to
the newspaper reports of the accident. is pab-
lished in justice to the bicyclists, and explains
itself:
BALTIMORE, Nd, April q
cstn,er White esq, Director, League Of american
Dear Str:-The very unjust and untrue accounts
OF driving accident that occurred in the Park last
evening has compelled to lay before you the fol-
lowing facts; We were proceeding for our usual
evening ride. and had lust entered the upper gate
on Mount Royal avenue, when on turning the
curve at this part OF the road,we saw approaching
Us what appeared to be race between two bug
SleS, and Immediately behind them a landau, with
two horses, which were on dead run, and had
evidently been started by the buggifs rushing
past On ccmiHg opposite us, the In niau swerved
into the gutter, and the driver appeared to us to
have los, all control OF his horses. We watched
them until they regained the middle OF the road
ana went round the bend out OF our sight, we lid
Ing on ana thinking no more OF the matter On our
return, about an hour later. we learned OF the
subsequent wreck OF the carriage and were
panied 10 hear OF the accident to tho occupan,s
The ne Nt thing brought to our attention was the
article III the mornings paper. We can only say
any accident had occurred or imagined that it
could have been in any way attributed TO US, we
in "u s'OPd na amy +
OF the everyday examples OF recklesSnes, in the
first place. of those driving fast horses to light
vehicles, and the usual exhibition OF an incom-
petent driver behind young horses which come
under the notice OF all frequenters Of public
drives Very respectfully r. F FOSTER TTg -,
1t will be seen from this that the two gentle
men named. who are expert wheelmen, deny
that the accident was caused by the horses TAX
ing fright from the bicycles. The park board
on the call OF the president. Mr.. j. II. b. Latrobe
will hold . special meeting this morning at
ten O'Clock to consider the question, when some
action will be taken in the matter. There can
be no doubt that there is much to be said on
both sides OF the question. The wheelmen ad-
vance as strong argument the fact that the
bicycle Is In general use on the streets Of Wash
ngton, where high-Spirited horses are plentiful
and that the animals do not take any notice of
the machines 1t is becoming quite common at
the capital. where the smooth asphalt pavements
present unusual facilities for the merchant and
business man to 90 to and from his Office
~" '"o picyeie ahu W "ihu I'LL anu Out among
the animals without causing the least alarm
Their theory Is, that after horse sees a bicycle
once or twice 1t ceases to regard it as a cause
for alarm, and thus the more general the use of
the wheel, the less Objectionable it becomes
The wheelmen claim that the bicycle is a vehicle
In every sense Of the word and that there does
not exist legal right to legisate against 1t for
the benefit of the ordinary four wheeled vehicle
This point Is now pending before New York
court. and the decision shortly expected will
have an important bearing on the subject wher-
ever the bicycle Is in use. The result of the
meeting OF the park board to day will be looked
for with interest.