New-York tribune., 1895-10-27

or other vehicle commonly called a cycle or
wheel. shall forfeit and pay penalty of not
more than s25 and not less than So. The autnor
OF this ordinance is Alderman Clark, who is HIM
sell Wheelman The only question regarding IL
Is whether the penalty prescribed is sufficiently
severe At any rate. the moral effect OF its adop-
ton cannot but be good. and it is TO be hoped
that IL will be followed by the enactment OF
stringent regulations everywhere to prevent
species OF conduct that deserves nothing but exc
Grafton.
The ordinance was adopted last Monday, and on
Wednesday Mayor Scheren took advantage Of an
early opportunity to give It his approval. 1t may
be taken for granted that he had something
more than an official interest in 1t. 1t is not gen
orally known as yet that the Mayor has a soft
place in his heart for the bicycle. In fact. he
has made a beginning al least in learning to
ride one, but after going that far decided thai
il would be wise to postpone further experiments
Until after the expiration Of his official term, as
he did not wish u the risk II breaking an
arm or leg while still under obligations to attend
daily at the City Hall. 1t is probable that snort
ly after he becomes ex-Mayor MI. Schieren
will be coursing around Brooklyn ana
through Prospect Park on a wheel
Il cannot be denied that the bicycle has had an
effect on church-going This was plainly shown
a fortnight ago. when Sunday was rainy and the
number Of young men at church was notceaby
larger than usual. at any rate in some OF the
churches hereabout. But Sunday riding OF the
wheel is not confined to young men; 1t is fact
lamentabe some good people may regard It,
that not a few women who in ante-blcycle
DAYS would not have omitted going to cnurcn on
Sunday morning are now to be seen out on their
wheels, and apparently thoroughly enjoying them
selves. On the rainy Sunday just referred 10
there al morning service In a certain church
in this neighborhood at least half dozen young
men who, had the conditions been favorable,
" ould have been a-wheel miles away from town
and church at that hour Yes said of
them. with Unsurpassed sigh, - rained to-
day. and we had to fall back on church. CThe
footnote Fact" might truthfully be added TO
this paragraph
Every rght-thinking wheelmar is now looking
forward to Election Day and hoping that the
weather will be favorable for runs If the
elements proptious, 1t will be one of the great
wheeling days of the year. Everybody who has
wheel or who can borrow hire one will be GER
tain to be abroad matter how cool 1t is. If ii Is
only clear Last year there were many disap-
pointed cyclists. because it was unfavora5le in
the early morning and heavy rain the previous
day and night had made the roads heavy. Still
a great many riders got out. and there was plenty
of good fun. For long runs the bright days like
some OF those have had recently are simply
ideal. since go a long distance with lit
tie exertiOn and with almost entire freedom from
that profuse perspiraton which is insepara0le
from cycling in the hot months. The danger 10
be avoided now is of cooling off too rapidly after
a brisk ride \ severe cold can easily be caught
in this way November Is sure To furnish some
superb days for wheeling, and December, under
ordinary circumstances, is not unfavorable to the
sport. if one cOntrve 10 get out while the
sun is shining Riding after sunset In cold
weather is not altogether pleasurahle, and Is IN
dulged in only by those in whom devotion to the
wheel amounts to passion
On one Of the recent fine Sundays nearly
hundred wheelmen made their monday stopping
place at little village on Long Island which
boasts an excellent hotel that is popular with all
bicyclers. 1t is not uncommon thing. so the
proprietor said. for him to accommodate that
many or nearly as many. every fine sunday
Accommodate" must be undo, 'ood here as in
qualified sense, since the capacity Of the hotel
dining-room Is limited and good number of the
late comers have to wait for the second table
oddly enough. although there are two other no.
tells in the place neither Of them keeps open,
though it is obvious that they would get con-
siderable number Of customers among the riders
who prefer to be served soon rather than 10 wait
until q lot of other hungry men have had their NIL
But the point to be made against the proprietor
OF the popular hotel is that he makes absolutely
no provision for taking care OF wheels while his
guests are at dinner. IT would seem that SELL
interest would impel him at least 10 erect racks
in which the wheelmen could place their silent
steedS. and If the hotel man did not care To un-
dertake It, some enterprising youth in the village
might add appreciably t. his pocket money by
being on hand and checking bicycles. He could
EASILY earn s. or So day when a large number
are ridden to that place. At present 1t is an odd
sight to three or four scores OF wheels lean
ing up against each other on the piazza, or stood
against trees and fences. 1t Is not surprising
that some people nervous about their prop
erty when thus left unguarded out Of their sight
for half hour more. Certainly IT would be
easy for rider with a poor wheel TO select the
best one Of the lot and ride away with it, if ne
We're disposed
ANY Brooklyn rider who is on his way through
Bedford-ave. TO tie ferries at the foot Of Broad
way is likely to be misled as he nears Broadway
by seeing an asphalt pavement OH street run
ming toward the river. But he should have care
not u take il in the belief that the asphalt has
been put there to make ii easier for him t. reach
the ferry. The stree: in question is South Ninth
and it has recently been repaved in part II
rider turns into il on his way To the ferry he viii