New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-22
RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF CYCLISTS.

RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF CYCLISTS
THEY SHOULD INSIST UPON THE FORMER AND
BE CAREFUL TO FULFIL THE LATTER
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: The death OF Rober. Center. which occurred
while that gentleman exercising on MS wheel
on Wednesday afternoon has shocked the COM
munity and very properly so. Believing that ths
accident should not pass from The pubic mihd
without leaving at least some suggestion, or pro-
vokng some honest thought upon the nse OF tho
streets and highways both by wheelmen and by.
vehicles / venture to address you, and ask the aid
OF your journal in saying a word about the mat
The facts are these: In the first days OF cycling.
that is about 1850 it dangerous to ride. In
fact, from $3.50 % 1857 many cyclists were thrasneo
ANNOYED. maltrea,eI and insu!ted by drivers OK
vehicles and by crowds OF loafers or boys. VINO re-
gardel cyclists their particular prey ana as very
proper objects for their uncouth amusement For
some reason or other. perhaps because the SHINY
clad bcycllst suggested certain dudShness 10 ms
ordinary mind. the cycst was always an OBJECT
Of derlsion, The greatest boast OF the driver was
how he had done this. that or the other thlng 70
annoy the cycllst. or perhaps. even 10 imperil him
by running him of the road The cycIst OF course
might have protected himself since. as he usually
comes from the middle or intelligent class ne -
familiar with his rights and privileges ana also
with the laws which are applied 10 the same An
appaal to the police should have secured MN proper
Die were more bitter toward cyclists. nor are to-
dav more bitter toward them. than are many police
men Many cyclists can make affidavit that they
have atedly applied 10 the police for protecu'.
but have met with no encouragement or proner Ok
help on the contrary they have usually met Win
insult or with rough Indifference. by no means
do | wish to enter a charge against the fSce, out
(, is obvious that very small proportion OF un-
qund officers VIII oTsF the TsP an2 eSm@ nj aas
will tff, he
Within the last five years deal OF this anu.
cycling spirit has dsppeagredi Al sa:S erv eycis
knows that Il Is latent, and burns with haraV ess
FIRE than ,a aa ~ nbsn nave ,oe fatal accidents 70
cycle riders unless the rights ana privileges OF eaSn
he other The Dolce should be instructed in the
laws governing cycling and should be WSseme e
should not be allowed TO congregae as they 10 On
the Boulevard or at any other iavorWe sPo cyci,.t
irsads riding the asphalted streets on sunday or
holiday because by their sPeea ana t 70 HIM dian
is the driver pedestrian ne cy cas- ~, hs law
b. allowed 20 f2G9a eT' a a and few les
sons ot this sort would soon drive these S'o'e"'''
on rh ST second point Is that the police should be In
struced by their supericrs u aid me $3.50 y
turning dsI gH srion fhe,: should give him such
me drvt5 OF pyonI "a any other citizen 1t would
be an eAGGt d. , me arcs; OF any cycils for reck
~" l din or n the cvc,s, would complain Of any
interference tho part of the PEDESTRIAN ,sd that
here is room Tor much improvement They Simply pr,
nav no attention 20 the passing cycHst tne! 40 ,nD
move an nca Of his way but rather 50 - an
road eventually causing MN 10 nsin The shrub
nv Tbs driver SENS not 70 have any idea that
The cy Is ecosnz S as s5w ySSG ss 6s has Il both
a., made proper and forceful complaints wnen
occasion offered It would be to 'hsir m4 PRdA
New: Mew-York April 20, 1895.