New-York tribune., 1896-10-27
REGULATING STREET TRAFFIC.

An experiment of unusual interest Is now
being tried in this city-namely, the attcirpt 10
rcpulote traffic on a much used thOrOugh1are.
The right TO exclude business wagons from pun
lie parks has long been recognized ana cx"r-
,iscd and from time to time suggestions nave
been made that certain classes OF VehicIeS
should he shut out from certain streets during
certain hours Of the day. One OF the most re-
cont of These suggest ions was that the Western
Ro,licyard should be reserved for the Use Oh
Measure carriages and bicycles. This idea met
with little favor and when a hearing was had
ON il before an Adcrmanic committee not n
single voice was raised to advocate the pro-
noscd ordinance. The wheelmen Of the city.
through their official representatives, placed
themselves on record as cmphatcally oppOseu
to this plan. More recently a scheme was de-
vised of regulating travel on the Boulevard D!
conGplnr different classes of vehicles to differ
cnt parts of the roadway. ana an ordinance 10
this effect was adopted and is now in operation.
1t provides that except when going or com
ing directly from or TO their place or depart
''ure or destination on said Boulevard ana eN-
"cept when actually passing another vehiclc or
"an obstacle all trucks. express wagons, VahS
"and business vehicles Of all sorts shall keep III
''snglc line upon the extreme right OF the west
"ern Boulevard N all points between Fifty'
'ninthst. and Manhattan-st.." and further,
thar all bicycles and passenger vehicles shall
use those portions Of The street not set apart ior
the classes of vehicles already mentioned. lhis
IS an Intelligent method Of dealing with prop
lem that has presented some difficulties. That
II will cause grlImblng among truck-d drivers and
the like II the beginning Is TO be expected Ihe
force of bicycle policemen has been increasei
for the purpose of seeing that II Is strrti!
obcycd. but they have been under orders Tor
the first few days simply 10 spread Information
regarding the new regulation and warn those
who do not observe il that they are breaking
the law II will soon be In order 10 arrest all
who violate the ordinance. though we do not
imagine that many arrests will be necessary
The reasonablrnrss Of such IN ordinance Will
doubtless be perceived by those who are most
affected by IT, and as it will not materially In
tcrf,rc with the progress of heavy vehicles
which as n general thing move at n slow rate
of speed We look for a willing compliance with
IL on the part of the great majority of drivers.
In all probability. what is being done on the
boulevard IL only = beginning of Tie regulation
Of traffic on important ihoroughfares OF the
city Such ,cguation has been made necessary
by the almost universal use of the bicycle ana
the disregard Cf whcemeu's rights which many
men in charge of heavy wagons have been
guilty Of With the iDcrrasc In the number OF
we'll paved streets however, regulation of travel
VIII be- required less and less although in that
case there would bc little hardship in proyid-
ng that light vehicles. including of course. h'-
cycles. should us. certain streets. and heavy
vehicles the alternate ones The boulevard ex-
pertinent IS Il step In the right direction. IN the
present condition of our streets.