New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-02
PROTECTING THE PARKWAY.
THE BICYCLE PATH AND THE NEW oRDEf
AFFECTING BUSINESS WAGONS.
r. -ur wuEELMEN WANT FINE GRAVEL TOP
DRESSING THEY WILL BE ALLOWED Io
FURNISH Ir-HEAvY TRUCKING TO BE
KEPT OFF THE MAIN DRIVEWAY

FURNISH 1r-HEAvY TRUCKING TO BE
KEPT OFF THE MAIN DRIVEWAY
OF THE BOULEVARD.
Some mieapprehension has arisen in reference TO
the work OF congtructng the bicyce pain along tne
Ocean Parkway which has been described IN Inc
Tribune The amount actually appropriated for this
work was only 1900. which would be sufficient TO
complete only small part OF the grazing. rafh
Commits sioner Squier however thinks he is justhed
in putting liberal Interpretation on the use winch
ne makes OF the amount appropriated for the MAIN
tenance OF the Parkway. as he believes that 1t VIII
be a good thing for the main roadway II bicycles
are virtually confined the OF the path on the
side So II Is his Intention proceed with the grad
Ing from the point which II has now reached AMI 70
finish this part Of the work all the way down 70
Coney Island. The part OF the path nearest Pros
pect Park will be left to be completed hereafter
With the funds available. a fair wheelway Will be
provided and that Is all that the Commissioner
thinks he will be justified In doing with the citys
money
The wheelmen however, insist that they want the
path finished with Roa Hook gravel Of the finest
quality Mr. Squier says that he IL unable 10 supply
this but II the bicycle-riders themselves wish 10
furnish the material he will see that 1t Is properly
put on and will take all the responsibility OF keep
ing the path In order There Is intention on his
part OF having the city put In the position OF beg
ging for money n order TO complete this work. lie
will furnish fairly good pathway at the citys ex-
pense II the cyclists OF Brooklyn want n better
one he IL more than willing 10 cooperate with them
in providing t. The path Will be between five and
six miles long. and the cost OF the gravel required
will probably be from 5000 to $500 That sum
would insure a gravel nnsh about TWO inches thick
which Is all that Will be needed.
As the bicycle path is be about fifteen feet
wide II is interesting question how carriages
and horseback riders to be kept OF Of it, There
thn pa
at any one OF them carriages will be able to enter
the bicycle track II there is not some means OF
keeping them out Of the horses feet would
quickly spoil the surface for bicyce-rdng and the
carriage wheels would do Il good II is proposed
place posts In the path at each street cross
ing They will stand about five feet apart, and Will
be enectual in preventing vehicles from driving on
the smooth gravel surface To some extent they
will be OF annoyance to wheelmen. who
however will lily perceive the necessity Of some
method OF preserving the pathway Tor their own
use. At all the posts will be much less
serious nuisance than the present stone bridges ny
which the curbsonts At the cross streets ar: passed.
As respects equestrans. they Will probably be
warned by numerous signs that this path is ex-
cluslvely for bicycles. 1t will not be possible TO
patrol a path nearly six miles long eNectualy as
10 prevent the OF II by those who have no right
there. While people on horseback VIII be abe 70
invade the bicycle path freely. they Will find them
selves in rtible quickly II caught IN the act Ihey
have their own bride paths IN Prospect Park where
they are nterfered with by any one. and they
should he willing allow the same privilege to the
wheclmen on the Parkway.
Commissioner SQuer is much pleased with the de-
cision Of Justice Steers unfolding the right OF the
Park authorities TO keep heavy vehicles on the main
driveway Of the boulevard An appeal has been
taken from the decision. but II IS believed that the
courts will afYirm The order given by the com
missioner was no; aimed primarily al the farmers.
who prefer this roadway 10 the side roads but at
the heavy trucking which IL going on In connection
the new roads which being constructed In New
Utrecht The side roads quite good enough Tor
such t-affic and II Is evident that the drawing or
heavy loads the fine central driveway must IN
jure e; Then again. II not infrequently happens
that two or thre. heavily loaded wagons. some OF
them Aled with manure. Will so up or down the
Parkway abreast; the drivers lying back .azily and
chatting with another. while al! carriages ana
light vehicles compelled TO turn out ana go
around them. II is In part to put a stop 10 THIS
I nuisance that the order has been Issued.
There may be something said In behalf OF the
farmers OF the nc!ghborhood who use the main
hiclcs there all the property in the nelghoorhood
assessed for the Boulevard. and II would seem
II those who helped pay for Il had certain right
to use IT, But the same argument would lead TO the
throwing open OF the drives in Prospect Park 10
business wagons Of all descriptions. Commissioner
Squler has no intention OF dealing harshly with the
farmers. but drivers OF brewery wagons. drays.
wagons loaded with stone. etc. Will venture upon
| the main Boulevard driveway at their peril