New-York tribune., 1895-10-20
THE COMMISSIONERS DOUBTS.

the walks fmmediately surrounding tne
Park the question may be different. and the opin-
ion OF Assistant Corporation Counsel Greenwood
will be awaited with interest by every wheelman
and by a good many people besides That the Park
Commissioner has doubts as to whether excessive
privileges may not have been granted to the bi-
cyclers Is shown by the Sign which he put up near
the drinking fountain at the main entrance OF the
Park fortnight ago. directing wheelmen 10 dis
mount in crossing the asphalt walk at that point,
and in addition he has posted policeman there to
see that the new iule is enforced 1t IS understood
that he contemplates removing the bridge placed
across the gutter few months ago, though he
will probably walt TO hear from the Corporation
Counsel before taking decisive action.
A wel-known lawyer, who is also a wheelman, In
speaking OF this matter yesterday said: The Leg
islature has declared that the bicycle is a
hlcle entitled 10 all the rights and privileges Of
other vehicles, and of course, TO no more; and the
courts in various decisions have taken the same
view That the bicycle is a vehicle Is now well es-
tablished The question then is whether as We
hice 1t has any rights upon sidewalks or paths.
Strictly speaking, there can be only one answer to
the question But public sentiment. so far as It has
declared itself IS inclined to liberal view OF the
matter. Take the Coney Island Path, for instance.
That was laid out as sdewak t fva yet tne Park
pose turned It exclusively 70 the use OF wheel
from going on it, He has done substantially the
same thing with one OF the sidewalks on the East
ern PARKWAY.
PRIMARILY MEANT FOR PEDESTRIANS.
''In these cases | do not suppose any serious
question will ever be raised, and presumably the
wheemen will continue TO enjoy the privileges
which they now have without restraint or moles-
taton At the same time II any one should venture
10 bring suit to test the legality OF the Park
Commissioners action should not care 10 predict
what the outcome might be. But the walks around
the Park seem to be on a little different footing
Certainly they have never been dedicated to the
use OF wheelmen. and people on foot have never
primarily intended for the use OF pedestrians; that
is what they laid out for. Wheelmen are
allowed on them only by suffrance. II is true
that certain special privileges have been granted
TO them in the removal OF distractions. such as
cufbstOnes so as 10 make IL easy TOT Wneeis 10 go
upon these walks.
They are largely used by wheemen who find the
hill-cmbing little easier on the outside than on
the Park drives. Then, too. there Is an advantage
in the use Of these walks by tmid riders especially
by women. who prefer TO keep away from the
horses and carriages that they certain to meet
not necessary for any one 10 use these paths The
Park drives excellent, and In only a few places
are riders compelled TO go any considerable DIS
tance to reach them.
far In giving the OF these walks to bicyclers
am not prepared to say, nor can | express POSI-
tive opinion regarding suit for damages brought
against the city by person injured by a blcyc.e
But | think that a strict construction OF the law
will compel the Issuance OF an order forbidding
wheemen to ride these walks. presume that
is to furnish will deal merely with the walks
rounding the Park, and WILL not touch the rights
OF wheelmen the Cycle Path or the path on the
Eastern Parkway