The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-23
Cycle Effauetfe.


Now that wheeling has become part of
a normal life. "A whole ritual is rapidly be-
coming as necessary TO Ii as TO life in
ball room, or as is for bathing parties
The following suggestions are offered for
solutions of road problems and some hints
on road etiquette:
The basis of good manners in bicycling
as of good manners in everything else. Is
common sense and kindness. Armed with
these the cyclist need never fear that he
will make any breaks on the road. In fact,
the whole manual of etiquette might be
boiled down into the maxim. Use your
head"
8 Bicycling is in the more need of set
of rules for behavior because of the pecu-
liar conditions under which the sport Is
carried on Men and women ride side by
side for miles. and while woman osten-
sbly and voluntarily puts herself on the
same footing as her escort by accepting
the same conditions, she Is still the weak
member of the firm. and needs certain
amount of helping to enjoyment and for
bearance on hills. one should never let
his selfish desire TO plug" up a good hill.
for instance pull him away from the side
of the lady, whose weaker muscles tas
well as heavier wheel make 1t necessary
TO dismount humbly and meekly at the
foot and walk up. OF course, you show
her how easy II is. and what strong
rider YOU are You can dismount al the
top and wait for her. but II isn't kind. It's
lonesome walking hills alone. In brief. 1t
Is the duty of the men TO see that the
women get as much enjoyment out Of
their trip as possible, and II is also the
duty of the women TO give as little trouble
as possible.
Here are few rules to remember; paste
them in your hat:
/ Never pass a dismounted wheelman
trying TO repair break without Offering
assistance.
. 4 disnounted woman should always
be offered assistance and a man stopping
10 offer her such should dismount and I'M
cover.
g. Ii IS always proper TO speak to
wheelwoman in distress without an intro
duction.
4. But no service rendered 10 a woman
on the road entities a man to her ac-
quaintance.
s. In following a narrow path. ladies
first. and leave good distance behind
them.
6 The rule for positions has always been
ride on the left hand side OF lady.
:. When riding with n lady. should You
come up behind a wagon at such a time
that YOU viii be forced 10 pass between II
and another approaching team. take the
lead and in a way force open passage
for her TO come through.
g Pass an approaching wheelman. We
hicle or pedestrian on the right
2 Pass anything going In the same d.
rectior as yourself on the left.
10 When you come M behind any per-
son on foot or mounted. or any vehicle,
ring your bell.
II. At corner If You see cyclists on the
cross street. 60 little slow TIL you find
out which Of the three possible courses
they mean to take A slight turn TO the
left by you gives them a better chance 70
get by. but too much would cut them of
from riding down the street up which you
have come Always be ready to give way
rather than sprint by
e II riding on a sidewalk on coming TO
a blind corner always slow down and ring
your bell
The reason given for riding on the left
hand side OF lady Is simply that one may
have his good right arm ready 20 assist
her II necessary. Following this reason
ing II would seem thar a left handed man
should reverse the position. But there is
another reason in this rule for position.
which is that riding on the right side OF
the road the man - always between the
iaav and any vehicles that may pass them.
These rules may seem unnecessary 20
some peon1e 20 they are. 70 some people:
hut the writer has seen every one % them
transgreSsed. and some OF them num-
Der of times.