Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-06-22
bI(,Tl,IERS
Should Consider the Rights of Others
on Public Highways.

The bicycle has btcome necessity in
active life, and is nc longer relegated to
the ultra fashionable young man of the
period, or the semi dude. Its use is no
longer one of recreation and amusement.
but helps in bearing the burden of the
day, in saving long walks and tedious
journeys in business circles. Men and
women alike count the cost of purchas-
ing one, as so much money invested
against waste of life forces. It's use as a
means of locomotion is limited only to
the resources of a persons available
cash. Those who are. able to keep a
coach or pony carriage, if they have a
bicycle consider it only as an added
means of pleasure But the poor man,
the day wage Garner, counts it as his
ally in the struggle of life.
A graceful rider Of either sex, gives a
pleasing variety to street scenes, and
there are many little diversions plan
ned, and recreatiye enjoyments that
cost nothing, but add immensIy to the
tedium of working lives. "AII work
and no play" makes a dull person of the
brightest. Let those who are so ready
to think their elloW-laborers less bright
than they, try it for just one month,
shutting out every element of pleasure
and going continual weary round Of
duties, first one tedious work and then
another no more inspiring, day in and
out, and they will soon find the ''foW Of
spirits" they possess is largely due to
the ease with which they shirk duty, or
use means acquired to make duty less
burdensome.
Exercise in the open air, untrammel
ed by care, is q nerve strengthening,
health giving godsend. The possessors
Of bicycles are often SO enthused
over them, and so animated in the ex-
hilaration of riding, that they are apt to
forget that their individual pleasure is
the only thing to be considered, and
entirely ignore the rights Of others to
even walk safely along the streets,
even thinking it part of the fun to run
down pedestrians, without so much as a
"beg pardon" to their victims. The
persons who are fortunate enough to
possess wheels should exercise q due
regard for the rights of others; a COM
mon sense as to the selfshness of taking
the main track of streets or the whole
of the sidewalk, and Difference to the
young and old. The crowded thorough
fare is manifestly an unsuitable place
to learn to manage q wheel. People in
carriages have prior right to the use of
the streets without risk Of life or limb
A clio. out of the way" is more than a
thoughtless discourtesy. 1t savors of
anarchial license. An unselfsh regard
for the rights of others is safe rule for
Wheelmen, We have no personal
grievance, and believe our cicylers are
courteous and just, and our remarks are
meant for no one in particular. We
aim to call attention to simple act of
courtesy due the public. Our young
wheelmen should have some proper
alarm, and should defer racing on the
public thoroughfares in the hours when
the streets are most crowded. There
are wide avenues and broad streets, not
crowded with vehicles and compara-
lively free from teams that are still
easily frightened at sight of the ''strange
horses"