New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-21

THE CROION tlfLE ram
-Four weeks ago to-day The Tribune proposed
the construction of a bicycle path along the line
of the old Croton Aqucduct. from High Bridge
to Croton Dam. The scheme Immediately at
tractcd much attention and elected innumcrable
expressions of approval \ few hostile criticisms
were offered. however, ana many inquiries We're
made concerning the practical feasibility OF me
project To-day The Tribune meets these crit
icsms and answers these inquiries in the fullest
and most satisfactory manner. \ member OF lis
staff has during the last week carefully gone over
the whole proposed route. from the Harlem 10 me
Croton. Being an expert wheeman and pho-
tographer. he especially noted the fitness OF the
path for cycling, and has recorded the result OF
his observations with the camera as well as with
the pen His illustrated report occupies the
twenty-ninth page Of to-days paper. ana we com
mend it for careful pcrusal. not only 10 IN" III
numcrablc host of whccmcn. 10 whom II appeals
with especial force. but 10 all our readers. who
will find II replctc with more than ordinary In
tercst.
The suggestion and The promise we made four
weeks ago are seen. in This report 10 be more
than yindicatcd. The path is found. on actual
scrutiny 10 be more attractive and better suited
to cycling purposes than WAS at first supposed
1t is not merely narrow fo0tway on the crcSl
of a rounded ridg' along which one or two
whcelmen might make prccarouS passage: but !,
is broad. level avenue, on which anywhere
tea III and carriage may be driven. ana on most "t
which two or three such may safely 20 abreast.
In few places II is somewhat rough AMI cll' I'M"
rus by wheels Of wagons 50 aS 10 be- hut hii'
better than a common country road. But few
DAYS labor would make those spots all right. ana
then the whole extent would be- as most Of II Is
today a delight TO the most faStidlouS wheel
man. TIL intcrscctins fences Of course must
be removed or 80 equipped with stiles a. 10
afford free passage for whcolmen without dis
mounting and that. too. can easily b. done.
There have been. as we have said. some hostile
criticisms Of the scheme. made in good faith but
as now will appear based on misapprchcnslon.
They have been offered by those who fear
wholesale trespass upon private grounds and
injury Of private property. But no such action
IS intended For a considerable distance In"
aquoduct traverSes the gardens and lawns Of fin"
estates along the Hudson. To have a host Of
wheelmen riding along ii would doubtless b" oh
icctiOnable TO the occupants Of these estates; al
most as bad, perhaps. as 10 have IL made a gen
eral highway for pedestrians. And 10 fence II
in securely so a. 10 insure the ad iacent grounds
from possible invasion. would be a sore dishgurc-
ment Ru, neither Of these is necessary. While
the public has an undoubtcd right 10 use the
path II would be- for more reasons than one de
sirable for wheelmen 10 waive that right. and
for n space make IA detour along the fine roadway
OF the old ALBANY Post Road This would De 10
hardship 10 the whDelmcn. and no real break in
fh. continuous course Of the great Croton Cycle
Path and it would preclude all possible oppoSi-
ton to the scheme. Two other short dctours are
also necessary through Yonkers and through
Sing Sing along smooth and attractive streets.
These will not impair the pleasure Of The trip. but
rather Increase IT by adding pleasant variety.
The itinerary thus will be From High ana
Washington bridges along Aqucductave. 10 The
corner Of Tremont-ave and Macombs Dam
Road thence along the Aquc1uct 10 fonkers;
through Yonkers streets TO the AqucducI again,
and along It to Hastings; along Broadway 10
Tarrytown; III. Aqucduct to Sing Sing; the
streets Of Sing Sing; and finally the Aqncduct 10
CrotOn Darn.
1t should surely not be necessary 10 urge at
further length the promp, adoption ana "X"cu-
ton Of this imposing scheme. The old saying
that ne Is ii bcnefactOr Of the race who makes
two blades Of grass 10 grow where but one grew
before Is true II Is hackneycd, and II is forcby
applicable To the preScni case. The Aqucduct i
a great public work. II has long served and will
long serve the public faithfully in an important
capacity But here is a plan for making it serve
the public in another and also highly important
way. and that without in the least degree impair
Ing It's usefulness for lis original purpose. 4
little legislative formaty. which should speedily
be effected at Albany, ana Il little labor and cX
pense along the path, which surely should not be
gI1ldged-lhai Is all that Is needed to give 10 the
whcempn Of New York and It's cnvirons. in the
completed Croton Cycle Path the finest forty
mile run in the world