The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1893-05-26
NU MBER 40
THE POSSIBILITIES OF THE BIZ
CYCLE,

The possibilities of the bicycle as a
factor in our social life have as yet re-
celyed but Scant consideration at the
hands of the general public, though it
is fast croWding itself upon their no.
tice. The ''bike" has hitherto been re-
garded as simply an article of luxury;
something fit to amuse those whose
time hangs heavy upon their hands,
and who. have money that they did
not know what to do with. But this
view of the wheel is rapidly changing,
and the beneficial aspects of this
great invention is receiving ration
al consideration. 1t has been learn
ed that the bicycle is one of the great
est health giving machines of the day,
and that instead Of being an article
of luxury it is fast becoming one of
prime necessity. There is nothing
that Will send the blood coursing
through the We ms, nor expand and fill
the lungs full Of fresh, pure air better
than bicycle ride. Many there are,
especially among the gentler sex, who
would not feel able to take long
walk in the fresh open air for the
benefit Of their healJh but they
would take spin of several miles up
on bicycle and feel revived.
The Rev. T. H. Hinnar, of the
South Boston Presbyterian church,
in a recent sermon on THE mission
of the bicycle" stated that if it was
within his power he would place bi
cycle in the hands of every man and
woman and teach them how to use
them. If | could do this, he said, II
would do away with quarter of the
work of our physicians. | would save
many a business and professional man
multitude of hasty words and result
ant enmitieS, make the wife better
wife and the husband a better hus-
band. make home more heaven of
peace, make our boys nd girls better
students, add ten years to the average
life of the race and give the country
at large the finest system Of roads
possible. These are only a few things
| would accomplish, but if only a
tenth part of this, | would have justi-
fed my affirmation thu 10 lbicycle's.
mission to the world asa I4:essel.
ger of gladness.'
He thinks the trouble with the peo-
pie as rule, is that they take life too
seriously, the American people live
on the rush, they leave their fun with
their childhood days, and it comes
back only in memory. But the BIZ
cycle changes this. 1t makes you for
get for the time, the serious duties
and problems of life. 1t will calm
your nerves and increase your courage
to meet the stern duties of life again
TRY it," he says, 'every day and you
will find that YOU can conquer after
all; that nine-tenths of your enemies
are those of straw. You will get a
new grip on things, new outlook on
life, new hope" He looks upon the
bicycle not as FAD, but as an instru-
ment of pleasure and profit, which
has growing place in our midst, and
is bringer of the glad tidings of
health and the messenger of gladness.
Another feature of the bicycle, is that
it is promoter of SOciability among
the people. 1t takes one out from
the solitude of his home, and causes
him to mingle with his fellow beings,
and become better acquainted with
them. 1t brings people everywhere
closer together, promotes kindlier
feeling and more genial atmosphere.
Because Of this it's use should be en-
couraged, and in short time the
beneficial results therefrom will
everywhere be noted.