Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-14

There is great complaint about reckless
riding OF bicycles in the public parks.
AS a rule. riders do not mean to be
away with them-but the fact remains
that they do endanger the lives and
limbs Of very young children.
In all our parks during the warm
weather scores of children may be seen
playing on the walks. their nurses sit
ting on benches near by, and supposed
to be watching their charges. These are
happy, pleasant groups to see. but unless
some check Is placed upon bicycle
riding they will soon be things OF the
past. Already these little children have
suffered much from the intrusion Of bicy-
clists upon their domain Of sand and
gravel. and in some cases there have
been narrow escapes from death or in
jury from wheelmen.
1t may be said that the nurses ought to
take better care OF their charges. 50
they ought but they are not going TO do
so. The nurse expects TO have a good
time at the park. 1t is her way the
WITH ONtI. oIf NURSES are HOt very
different In this respect from those seen
In the garden of the Tuileries, or in
Hyde Park, or In Central Park. When
beaux come around the nurses vigilance
relaxes-so far as her charge Is con-
cerned 1t is hard work for a nurse
| to keep watch on her beau and her
| charge. too. So, we would as well make
| up our minds that nurses are going to
| continue to be in the future what they
| have been in the past. Moreover, We
would as well make up our minds that
| bicycles have come TO stay. The roads
| and bridges OF the future will be built
| with space for an electric railway, a
| carriage-drive. a walk for pedestrians,
| and a path for bicycles And some such
arrangement viii have TO BE- made in the
| parks.
In very hot weather il Is desirable that
| the nurses and children should be allowed
| TO congregate close around tn. fountains.
and therefore the wheel should be ex-
| Guided from the fountain circles At pres.
| ent some of the most dangerous riding is
| done on these circles. 1t was 50, too.
around the monument In The Capitol
| Square until. In the interest OF very young
| children. and for other reasons. Governor
OFerrall found 1t necessary 10 close the
| Capitol Square gates against ticyclisis
except blcyclists having business at the
| Capitol
We are not ignorant of the fact thst
| many of the bicycles seen in our PARIS
! are ridden by young girls and boys: that
| is. that not many men intrude unless II
| be TO follow such routes as are open 10
carriages. While this is true, 1t is slsu
| true that these bicyclsts are driving lit
| tie children out, and this is a thing not
| TO be tolerated.
Mothers send their little ones 70 the
parks. not only that they may have m
fresh air. but that they may play with
more safety than they can play IN the
streets.
The remedy. II would seem, is to pre-
scribe better rules for each park, limiting
the roads and paths that may be used for
wheels and giving all other parts OF the
grounds TO nurses and children. Sooner
or later our officials will have TO do this.
and they might as well do Ii right or,
and not take away from little children at
the beginning of the season one of the
greatest of their pleasures