Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-13
B lCYCUE IN ROME
The Wheel Familiar Sight on the Eternal
City's Streets.
Municipal Regulations TO Protccr the
Enjoyed by People Of Fashion.
; Of The Evening Star.

! Specia. Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
| ROME, September Is, 1894.
| la Bicicletta is the Italian for the I'M
proved bicycle-pronounced bee-chee-clet-
tah-and before you could be long In Rome
! the presence of the machine itself would
| forcibly be made known, as often on these
narrow streets bursts the piercing cry:
''Badate!' or the ring of warning bell from
eager wheelmen is heard. Wheeling is max
ing great strides in popularity. and even
now. in hot weather. the sport is vigorously
carried on, although it seems very doubt
/ full one.
In cooler seasons Italy's country roads
| become the bicycer's paradise. The whole
| land can be traversed on a roadbed smooth
and clean as our fashionable avenues. Then
the wheelmen and clubs of wheemen are
in clover. Many delightful runs may be
planned TO adjacent villages, where there
are not only interesting antiquities and re-
freshing scenery. with lakes. rivers, &c,
but also delicious country dinners. AS vet
the bicycliSteS twheelwOmenD hardly dare
show themselves on public streets or roads,
though did see recently falr rider wind
ing through the Pincio aiSles. She was ac-
companied by a gentleman-probabl her
respected lord and master-and rode ad-
mirably, but her airy Vestments circled up
ward like those of a ballet dancer. Evil
IDENTIFY she was ignorant Of the device our
American queens adopt on the road, which
/ became acquainted with during Chicago's
great exposition while walking on Michigan
avenue windy days with gentle Washing
ton devOtee of the wheel
Italian customs regarding the fair sex are
SO rigorous that the situation may be well
comprehended by considering the fact that
a lady hesitates a good deal before daring
TO walk even to the corner drug store alone.
She would indie ed be exposed to attentions
from bold and rough Washers. Let il be
established that the m re fact Of "A lady be-
ipfr alnua on a : "a faken 10
invitation CT challenge TO a game OF
Irritation in which there is little jestiEg-it
may be seen that the day for bicyclists mas
no: yet arrived. However. there are in
Rome several wheeling schools now in the
height OF fashion, where ladies can private
~ enjoy the heaithfGL divertng exercise.
The bicycle schools.
The leading school was established in the
year 1851 in Quarter Ludovisi near the
treasury department. The proprietor began
by investing his small fortune, going into
debt besides. TO establish Rome's first bi-
cycle agency and school. He started with
twenty wheels, and since ~. when the
sport became popular, las Increased 10
torty-hve-the fCIce of today. The grounds
contain beaten ring SD feet around. in the
open air, where owing TO the patrons high
character, both sexes ride without restraint.
Gentlemen are taught for 81, including use
Of machine. La1ies, however, must pay 81
per half-hcur lesson, reduced to sixty cents
Mnen tltN CSn go once around the course
unalded. one can Ju1ge The schoclS stand
ing by its active patroneSSes being OF Italy's
fist families. Among them are the Prln-
cesses Colonna, Orsni and Borshese.
one Of the frequenters is young Baron
Blanc, son of the minister OF foreign af-
fairs lately SO actively cooperating with
Ambassador RanDn Faya to further Ameri-
can-Italian interests. Mrs. Vim. Potter,
wife of our eX-ministe~ 10 Rome. used to
accompany her daughters 10 this school.
The school is always open. but no lessons
are given on Sunday. Bicycling received a
great blow when the local authorities voted
TO impose tax OF 81. ~ per head for permits
sion to ride in the public streets. \ heavy
business was being done in bicycle renting.
The patrons were mostly young men who
did not hesitate 10 spend frame for an
hours diversion, but when ii came TO put
! ting up seven and half francs at one
| stroke, added to the necessity Of having to
| raSs an examination OF riding skill, they
dropped out by hundreds.
The proprietor of the principal public
bicycle-renting business told me that by
the permit law many renting agencies
were simply knocked fiat. The permit Is a
good thing" he said. in protecting pc
destrians from being struck by incapable
wheelmen, but the practically small eX-
pense involved is an elephant 10 many"
He informed me that the rental OF a
machine is a franc TO franc and one-half
Ter hour, according to the iineness OF the
wheel; ladies' machines. two francs and a
whole morning or afternoon costs four
Each wheel is provided with tire-pump
and bell There are fixed charges for
every imaginable breakage or hurt to the
wheels during rental, which are settled &C
cording tc printed schedule hanging in the
Office.
American Wheels the Lghtest.
Only ZOO patente 0peEmits) have so far
been taken out. yet, curiously enough, 1000
wheels are owned in Rome. Many own
several machines for their private use, and
it is known that numbers who ride never
so outside of their villas or mount only
without the city walls. Every wheel must
hear an Identification number, as registered
at the city hall They resemble our cab
numbers and are riveted across the flank
Tubes, in plain view from behind fair
English wheel can be bought for 400 francs
$50, in spite of being taxed nearly fifty
francs by ltaly's custom house.
German Opel make wheels are popular
among those Of medium price. The most
valued and costly make is Humber Beeson
CEnglish). American makes are now and
then seen, and they are REGARDED as among
the Understanding.
There Is splendid bicycle course with
grand stand, within the noted Villa Bor-
ghese- The keeper of this estate, having
It's revenues to look after, plans every once
In while a fiesta" day, when in addi-
ton to games and other outdoor sports the
bicyeiists are invited to compete for racing
premiums. Men only have thus far par
ticipated in these races which take place
before grand stand full of beauty and
fashion. Grand racing 9 xeots hage been
pa n. len mn. y a.