Evening star., 1895-06-08
Reckless Riding.

There are some dangerous things done by
the wheelmen, even in the crowded city,
and it is thought the Commissioners will
attempt to put a stop to such practices.
Racing is frequently INDUCED in, and some
of the more reckless riders would not hesi-
tate to ride at a perilous rate, even on
Pennsylvania avenue. This is a practice
which, although exceedingly dangerous,
cannot be controlled by the police, and pc
destrians who come within range of such
riders are never certain that they will
cape with their lives. Coasting down the
smooth hills is another dangerous feature
of wheeling, and has caused some serious
accidents, but even this is permitted any
where in the city, as there is no law
against it. The wheel has become such an
important factor in the messenger service,
as well as in connection with almost every
business. that the friends of the fast riders
are perhaps more numerous than those
who are opposed to rapid transit on the
silent Steed.
While many complaints are made against
the wheelmen, they are not always guilty Of
the offenses charged. Those who ride the
wheel for pleasure are sometimes little
boisterous, especially on the country roads,
where, however, persons are not so likely
to be annoyed. But sometimes they are
noisy in the city, more particularly late at
night, when large parties of riders are
turning from country runs. Then, 100, from
time to time the wheelmen are charged
with throwing poison TO troublesome dogs
in the country and with using acid on
CANNES in the city. In some instances this
may be true, and the wheelmen see no
II ore reason why dangerous dogs should be
turned loose upon them than upon pedes-
trans
With so many complaints against the
wheelmen one might easily imagine that
they are an ungovernable crowd, but such
is not the case. AS class they prefer
wheeling to other modes of enjoyment, and
do not make half the noise or cause as
much trouble as is the case with many of
those who adopt other forms of recreation.
Since wheeling has become so popular the
wheelmen have waged war on the authori-
ties because of the bad condition of roads
throughout the country, and i'll this regard
they have accomplished more than any
other set of men. AS the result of their eff
forts some of the states now have good
macadamiZed roads, where formerly there
was dust and mud beds.
Some Desired Legislation.
During the past few years in this city
the cyclists have been greatly annoyed by
bicycle thieves, and for long time it was
almost iupossible to secure a conviction
and sentence in these cases in the courts.
But recently there has been change, and
more than one bicycle thief is now serving
a. term at hard labor in the penitentiary.
During the next session of Congress the
wheelmen will probably make an effort to
have the horse stealing law broadened, SO
as to include thefts of bicycles. There is
special statute against horse stealing that
was enacted to make more secure the
animals left on the street during business
hours, and the wheelmen see no reason
why their bicycles should not be similarly
protected.
In some sections of the country the BIZ
cycle has the legal status of other vehicles,
and the wheelman enjoys the privileges of