New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-27
BJcyCLES IN PUBLIC PLACES.

The Park Commissioners have been strug-
Cling with some weighty problems OF late Boil
vars statue puzzled them good deal. We
believe they had some difficulty in deciding
what sort of an animal Bolivar was bestrding.
There was little doubt whether he was really
on horseback, or was riding wild ass Of the
desert or Kentucky mule, but the question
has been cleared up by the statement that he Is
seated on a Venezuelan charger. 1t must be
frankly admitted that the warehouses of Vehe
zuea are of type not at all Ike that OF the
English thoroughbred. The Commissioners
have settled the Bolivar complication by ac-
cepting the statue, but now they are in hot
water because of the bicycles.
Not content with excluding the wheelmen
from Central Park, they have decided to limit
their freedom on the charming Riverside Drive.
Tricycles they forbid altogether Bicycles are
only allowed when bestridden by members OF
clubs In uniform. This is felt as a serious
grievance by the large and rapidly increasing
number who find enjoyment and health in the
swiftly revolving wheel. The bicycle and tri-
cycle are now getting something of the pOpu-
larity in this country which they have long
enjoyed in England and as furnishing recrea-
ton and healt full exercise, 1t is not easy to
exaggerate their value. The Park Commission
ers should be extremely careful not to be un-
inst or ungenerOus to the men OF all ages who
are devoted to this invigOrating and un0bjectiOn
able snort. Of course the one reason that they
give for all their restrictions is that the flying
swheels frighten horses and cause perilOus run
aways. The deplorable accident in Brooklyn
last wear caused a bitter feeling for time
Al, ~ Of N Dnblip
streets. and our Park Commissioners were
strongly fortified in their hostile position
against the wheclmen. But it must fairly be
considered whether the people whose means do
not permit the luxury of carriages or saddle
horses. or whose tastes favor the stceds OF steel
rather than those of flesh, should not be allowed
ample privileges in the public drives If the
demand for bicycles and trcycles continues to
increase at the rate noted in the last year or
two. il NAV well be that the number III use
in this city will soon exceed the number OF car
riagcs that may be seen in Central Park on
sunny afternoon in May. And the wheelmen
have their rights. They are entitled to liberal
opportunity for the practice of their favorite
sport. Riverside DriVe-the most attractive OF
the avenues of our island should be as open
70 them as to carriages, unless it can be clearly
shown that the dangers resulting from their
free admission are insurmountable. Even the
most spirited horses will soon become accus-
toned TO the wheels. The elevated roads still
frighten some horses. Are the trains, therefore,
to be stOppedf
As to prohibiting tricycles while allowing
bicycles, that is the shcerest nonsense. The
horse that will not shy at a bicycle can easily
be brought to gaze at tricycle. without a shud-
der, and horses that are so nervous or bad
tempered that at the sight of either they will
break away from the control of muscular and
skilfnl driver, are out of place in our public
drives. Our parks and drives were not intend
ed rs theatres for the freaks of vicious or furi-
GUS animals. Better weed out the horses than
keep out the tricycles.
As to the rule that only club members in uni
form shall be permitted to roll along on the
hank of the Hudson. we don't think the massive
iptellects that now dominate our parks will adj
here to that regulation long. The notion that
only unskilful wheelmen will brighten horses
and cause accidents, and that club uniform
will guarantee expertness, does not commend
itself for sagacity. Why don't the Commits
sioners ask the Mayor to appoint Civil Service
examination for wheelmcn, only those passing
with the highest marks to be allowed the prlVi-
leges of the public drives'
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