The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1883-05-11
The Egis and Intelligencer
BEL AIR, Md, MAY IL, 1883.
The Bicycle Question.

Mr. EDITOR In the last issue of your paper
appeared an inquiry by "Subscriber," relative TO
RAPIDLY increasing number Of "wheels' in this
State suggested that inquiry, subscribers card is
perhaps of such importance to the drivers of
horses in the county, as to require an answer
AS the majorityof the 75 900 blcycers in theUnted
States are in the North and West, and as until
quite recently there were but comparatively few
in MARYLAND, we must look to the decisions of the
courts of that section for the law bearing on the
subject. In nearly every case IN which the rights
that has been adjudicated by the courts the deci-
sions have been, not only that the bicycle has
had the right over any vehicle drawn by
horses. Not only that, but after long and costly
legal contests, their right to enter the public parks
has been secured. In accordance with these
decisions, Boston Common, in Boston, Central
Park, in New York, and the public parks and
case of Judge Maulsby VS.. Foster, decided at
Westminster, in our own State, is a strong illus
tration of the strength of the bicyclers position
when taken to the courts for settlement.
The discourteous conduct OF some of the driv-
ers towards persons who ride the bicycle would
lead us to believe that there are great many who
cannot easily perceive the truth that the public
highways are maintained for the use of the whole
public. and not merely for the use OF those who
selves to much trouble to avoid frightening
horses, but they do this because they are gentle
men and from courtesy only. They are under no
legal or moral obligation to do so. Every man
who drives horse runs his own risk If he goes
upon the highway with half broken, badly
the law and common sense, man has the primary
right upon the highway, and all animals must
yield, If there is occasion for yielding to man.
The pedestrian first the man on any vehicle pro-
PEELED by himself next, horses afterward. This is
the fundamental principle, which is as old as the
law itself. A has as much right to drive an ele-
phant as has to drive horse. If BIS horse is
frightened at the elephant, A is under no legal
obligation to give b more than half the road. If
BIS horse gets frightened at any of AS lawful acts
runs his own risk and must pay any damage
which he suffers himself because of the whims of
his horse but he is liable for any damage which
his unruly horse may do. For instance, BIZ horse
is frightened at passing railway train and runs
into and breaks C's buggy. 1t has been again and
again adjudged by the courts that must not
only bear his own loss but he must pay for the
right to carry an umbrella on the highway, no
matter how much any ones horse may object. Or
you may draw baby carriage, or march brass
band, or haul threshing machine on the public
road and b and his horse must take care of them
selves as best they can. Now, of all the various
objects which horses sometimes get frightened
at, bicycle is the quietest, the least alarming,
the least obstructive and dangerous, and horses
become accustomed to it easiest and soonest. In
deed, the great majority of horses do not mind it
even the first time they see it.
Now, Mr.. Editor, If "Subscriber' and other
drivers will accord bcyclers their rights in will
ing and good-natured manner, and not meet them
in that ungentlemanly and ungenerous spirit,
which, | am sorry to say, have seen manifested
by a few persons on the road, am sure that they
will find bicyclers, as class, governed by desire
that prejudice against the bicycle that is already
so fast disappearing in this country.
JOHN f. CARVER.
Hdg1e de GIace, Mdy2, 1888