Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-06-02
4 Communication.

A Communication.
To the Editors Of the Kennebec Journal:
Will you kindly permit one of the up
wards OF 200 voters in the city of Augusta,
who indulge in the pleasure of bicycle rid
ing to say word in relation to the order
introduced into the board of aldermen at
the last regular meeting. In promising
any discussion of this question it is
well to note the very rapid increase in
the number of wheelmen in this city. There
are many indications that this form of
recreation is destined, in the near future to
become quite general. 1t is estimated that
about two hundred bicycles are now owned
in this city, and the number is being stead
lily augmented.
In spite of the rapid growth of this recrea-
ton in our city there has not been to the
knowledge of the writer q single serious
occtdent resulting from the use OF oar side
,calks by bicycle riders. No lives have
been lost; no bones have been broken, nor
has the safety of pedestrians at any
time been seriously jeopsrdized. In
view of these facts it is difficult to see
the reason for the passage of such strin-
gent ordinance upon this subject. There
are among the bicycle riders of Augusta a
number Of we'll known taxpayers who may
fairly be presumed to have at heart the b. st
interests of our city. Have these gentle
men any claims to consideration in the pas
sage of an ordinance regulating the use of
wheels in our city? If so, there is no
evidence of it in the report of
the city government meeting published
in the kENNEBEC JOURNAL of We'd
nesday morning. l doubt if any of the
wheelmen of the city were consulted
in the matter. The ordinance is too sweep
ing, too stringent. 1t cannot be en-
forced, and, because of its unreason-
able character, it will never command the
respect of the people of this city. The
wheelman of Augusta compose a suffi-
GENTLY large group to render it advisable
that any city ordinance directly affecting
them should be framed in a spirit of con-
sentative fairness, upon thorough knowl-
edge of all the facts bearing upon the matter,
and with desire to intelligently serve the
best interests of all concerned.
respectfully submit that the ordinance
published in Wednesday mornings jour
NAL does not fulfil these conditions. Let
us consider it a moment in detail.
Sec. l. Any person who shall ride a
bicycle or tricycle. on either of the sidew alks
on Grove street, State street, Winthrop
street, Bangor street, Cony street or Water
street in the city of Augusta shall be fined
five dollars for each offense.
1t is difficult to see why this provision
should have been so limited. 1t seems to
necessitate the addition of a street map to
the ordinary bicycle outfit, in order that
wheelmen may by means of heavy red lines
be able to see at glance which are the
tabooed thoroughfares; but what of the
luckless visiting wight unacquainted with
our streets, and possibly even I'M
acquainted with the existence of the
Cerberian ordinance itself? Is he to be adj
monished to Ego and sin no more" or shall
he be held to the strict letter of the law and
made to pay five dollars for his Ignorance?
But the six streets in question constitute
quite a section of our city, and on
| five of them at least the number of
| police officers are quite easy to count.
With the present official facilities and
general disregard of the ordinance, it is safe
| to say that half dozen culprits brought
| before the municipal court in the run Of q
year,-I am using outside figures-wOuld
| be handsome catch. Fines $1,000. Just
an annual tax of Ii cents head upon
the 200 wheelmen of the city were
they to establish a general treasury
for such emergencies. But seriously, If
sidewalk is unoccupied-as frequently hap
pens-what reason is there why wheelman
should not be permitted to use it if bis pas
sage will thereby be facilitated. If there
are those who would abuse such privilege,
why not make an ordinance applicable to
this class of miscreants-and they are very
few in number-rather than include as
we'll the decent and we'll disposed riders
of whom there would never be any COM
plant? If there are bicycle riders who
make themselves obnoxious to the general
public their number is not so large as to
prevent them from being known and dealt
with, 1t would surely be quite as easy to
apprehend them as to enforce the sweeping
provisions of the above section, and no one
would have any just reason to complain.
Sec. 2. Any person who shall ride
bicycle or tricycle. on any sidewalk in the
city of Augusta nearer than fifty feet to
any person walking or standing on such
s;iewalk shall be fined five dollars for each
offense.
The absurdities of the above section must
no spparent to ALL The man who rides his
wheel across the sidewalk into his own yard
i, liable to a five dollar fine if there is any
person standing or walking within fifty feet
of him Fifty feet! There is probably nc
person in Augusta who makes any pretense
Of riding wheel, who can not easily stop
his wheel inside of twenty-five feet. No
one can complain against the provision en-.
forcing the use Of bells. Every wheel
sbould be provided with one; both for the
benefit of the rider and of the public.
Sec. 4. Any person riding bicycle Of
tricycle. on any street, road, highway Of