Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-06-02
The Bicycle Question.

In another column of this issue we pub
fish communication from an enthusiastic
wheelman cri!icisiDg, somewhat sharply,
the ordinance recently passed by the board
of aldermen, for the regulation of bicycle
riding within the city limits. Our cores
pondent writes wholly from the standpoint
of the wheelman. There are two sides to
this question. There are great many peo
pie in Augusta who do not own bicycles,
and who have rights that must be
maintained. Were all the bicycle riders in
Augusta prominent" or "well-disposed"
citizens, no one would object to their rid
ing upon the sidewalks, for persons of this
character would never take advantage of
such liberty. Unfortunately there are few
wheelmen in our CITY Of the "screamer" vari-
ETY., whose fast riding and insolent conduct
have rendered them extremely obnoxious.
Such fellows cannot be tolerated. No citizen
walking quietly along the sidewalk will
fail to resent rough order to "get out Of
the way" by wheelmen who haven't even
the grace to supply their machines with
bells. While it is true that no serious ac
cidents have resulted from collisions with
bicy cles it is nevertheless true that num-
Der of citizens have been run into and
subjected, if not to injury, at least to
serious annoyance. We are confident that
the members of our city government are
only desirous of finding the best possible
solution of this vexed question. This is
not a matter that is, by any means, peculiar
to Augusta. Other cities all over the couu-
try have had it to deal it'll. To our mind
the Rochester, New York ordinance, which
has in its essential features been adopted by
many other cities,is the best one yet devised
for regulating the use of wheels. We have
never seen the full text of this ordinance but
from recently published editorial in the
Syracuse, IN. y Herald, commenting
upon its adoption in that city, we gather
its general import. Il provides for the
| licensing of riders to use the sidewalks,
| All wheelmen are numbered. The license
provides very carefully for the safety and
convenience of pedestrians. Should ri
ders fail to comply with the condi-
tons upon which the license is issued,
and be guilty of reckless or careless riding.
their licenses are not only revoked but they
are also subject to fine. We confess that
this ordinance strikes us az the most salts
factory solution of the bicycle problem that
we have ever seen. 1t not only provides for
the safety of the public, but at the same
time makes just distinction between the
"screamers" and careful, courteous riders
whose use of the sidewalks can do no pos
sible harm. We should be glad, if the
members of our city government, before
making any final disposition of this matter,
would examine the text of the Rochester
ordinance, and ascertain the results that
have attended its enforcement. We believe
that an investigation of the matter would
convince them Of its merit. The ordinance
recently passed by our board of aldermen
contains many good features. We think,
however, that it fails to make proper
distinction between those riders who
could with entire safety be permitted
to use the sidewalks and those
who could not. 1t is here, it seems
! to W, that the Rochester ordinance is an i'm
provement. We believe that this matter is
of sufficient Importance to be worthy of the
thorough investigation and careful consid.
Grafton which, we have no doubt, the
members of our city government will be
DESTROYS of giving it.