The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-06-04
TIE BICYCLE IENEK


bicycle was considered by almost every
body as nothing more or less than a very
dangerous toy-a toy which induced icW
grown men 10 endeavor 10 make boys
OF themselves again and subject them
selves to the ridicule Of the public. But
conditions have changed. The bicycle,
with the advent OF the pneumatic tire.
has worked a revolution and today 1t
has become an established factor Ia our
every mode of life. When the wheel
first began to grow in popularity, 1t was
considered fad that woul1 live for while
and then be forgotten, but as each sea-
son adds its improvements its populari-
IL increases. and its great utility in the
business world becomes more apparent.
TO say nothing Of the bicycle as an ele-
ment OF sport, or Of its great health-giying
Qualities. its wonderful influence on trade
and commerce has given it a permanent
Mace in our civilization. SO great is its
influence that it must now bear the re-
sponsibllity for much of the hard times IN
various lines Of business, if the follow
ing from the New York sun is true:
The theatrical man stands in front of
his show-housc, and swears az he sees
the men ana maidens wheeling 10y,
ne saws: Grand opera for W@kel
wouldn't attract 'em now The con
fectioner stands in his doorway ana looks
into his window. fuv OF unsoid candy
and SAYS the bicycles are running MS
business. The clothier says ne eau
sell half as many fine clothes as he
more than half the time. The cigar man
SAWS hts trade is suffering. because every
body rides a bicycle. and not one IN
twenty smokers smokes a-wheeI. The
Uverv-stable man and the riding academy
man grind their teeth IN rage, and declare
that business is going or has gone TO the
demnltion bOwwoWs. The shoe man says
he can't sell anything but cheap blcycIe
shoes now. The hat manufacturer says
his orders for fine hats are OF one-hali'
and all he can sell is cheap caps, In which
there is no money. Everybody is gio"i-
ing. EXCEPT the bicycle man, ana the
bicycle has 10 bear the brunt Of It all.
If is stated upon excellent authority that
the presumable expenditures for bicycles
thus far will reach the stupendouS total
Of 500. O0O O0O-a sum so vast as TO be
really beyond ordinary comprehension.
ont Of this total it is fair TO presume
that ninety millions will be spent by peo-
ple Of fixed moderate incomes, 10 whom
the purchase Of a wheel upon the install
ment plan means going without articles
Of various kinds that would otherwise be
purchased.
The unlucky tradesmon who are losing
money can obtain consolation in the
thought that a large part Of their loss is
"A gain TO humanity, as well as 10 the
bicycle dealer. one of the best known
physicians i'm New York has SAID: Not
i'm two hundred years has there been any
one thing that has so benefited the race
as the invention Of the bicycle. why
Why thousands upon thousands or men
and women who previous TO a year or 30
ago never got any outdoor exercise 10
sneak Of are now devoting half OF their
leisure time 20 healthy recreation. They
are STRENGTHENING their bodies and de-
Welcoming themselves in every way, AMI
not only are they reaping benefit them
selves. but the generation that follows
Them will be born OF healthy parents,
and will start I'm life with the consutu-
tion that our fathers had, free from the
Weaknesses Of those who are habitually
indolent."
There is another influence for good that
the bicycle is exercising. No one knows
the disadvantages Of bad streets and roads
so well as those who ride the wheel, and
with the great army Of wheelmen and
,vbcelwomen. whose ranks are continu-
ally being recruited at a wonderful rate.
both I'm the city ana country an influence
will 90 abroad throughout the length and
breadth Of the whole country. that will
compel a much more perfect condition Of
country roads and city streets than We
now possess.
But all the good that can be said
in favor Of the bicycle can be overbal-
anced by one simple word-"scorcher."
There is no condemnation too severe for
the scorcher." He is a menace TO life
and property, and his proper place is be-
yond the pale of civilization. Many cities.
notably Washington. are making vigorous
efforts 10 down the scorcher, and the
sooner that his race Is exterminated the
safer it will be for all conservative citizens.
II man wants 80 scorch. let him take
himself to some race-track or lonely coun-
try road. and there ride until his tongue
hangs out and his eyes bulge from their
sockets. but make the penalty so severe
that he dare not try his reckless riding
on the streets Of the city or on the pleas
ure drives, crowded with carriages and
,o,ciF.~o.o rfHere