Evening star., 1896-09-28
BICYCLE REGULATIONS.
Hack Inspector Croft Complains Of
the SeOreher.

Hack Inspector Gron Complains of
the Seorcher.
Maj Moore has received from Hack In
spector Gron, Humane Officer Wilson and
Harbor Master Sutton their annual reports.
showing the work done by them during the
last fiscal year. These reports form part Of
tho majors annual report.
In the report concerning public vehicles
Inspector Croft says:
MANY Of the drivers of vehicles have
made complaints of the careless and reck-
less riding of some bicyclists, and their
utter disregard Of the police regulations
and the well-established rules Of the road
and many accidents and collisions have in
consequence, occurred. In many cases
where bicycists are riding In groups and
meet vehicles coming in the opposite direc-
tlon some Will turn to the right and some
TO the left which naturally confuses the
orlVer and frequently compels him to come
10 full stop until they pass. There are
many beginners who do not understand the
regulations. and 1 would suggest that the
attention of all bicyclists be. in some man
ner, especially called to sections 2 g. 8 3
and lO Of article X of the police reguIa-
tions.
I would further suggest that the police
regulations be so amended as to include
bicycles under the general classification Of
veh1cles. thus making them amenable to all
the laws governing the movements of We
their movements have been especially rexu-
lated. This would. among other things
especially II the regulations were amended
SO as to prevent a bicycle from turning a
corner AT more than reasonable speed),
compel them to keep to the right while
riding and turning a corner at a high rate
OF speed. neither of which is now regulated,
Whlle both are frequent causes of accI-
dents, but cannot be punished EXCEPT in
the event of an actual collision.
another cause of complaint from many
drivers is that bicyclists. when it is neces-
sary for them to turn to the left from
the street on which they are riding to an
lntersecting street, will cross to the left
OF the street on which they are riding be-
lore turning, thus bringing them on the
ie1t OF the tntersecting street, where the
Danger or collisions is great, owing to the
| comparatively high rate Of speed with
which some of them turn corners. A regu-
| lat1on compelling them to cross the street.
| or at least go to the middle of the street
before tul ming, would, in my opinion, ,obviate
this diff1culty and reduce the danger of acci-
gents TO the minimum. In justice to the
Dlcycilsts L would say, however, that they
are not alone at fault in the matter lust
referred to. and that the same regulation
IN reference to all vehicles would be equal
| ~ sa.s1sctory in producing good results.
Il would suggest. further. that all cyclists
| be compelled to sound their bells when
| turning corner, and that in passing a
vehicle going in the same direction they
| keep to the left and sound their bells while
passing. and that In crossing the path of
| a vehicle they cross in its rear
| -. Inc above suggestions are not made for
| the purpose of rejecting upon bicyclists
| as whole. for as rule thew are es-
| pecfally the experienced riders careful but
| for the scorchers' and that class who
| are entirely regardless of the rights of
others. and tend to bring the whole class
| OF bicycle riders into disrepute. Ny opin-
| lon Is that If bicycles and other vehicles
| on the streets were compelled to follow the
same laws that are laid down for the OBJ
| serVance OF drivers there would be fewer
| causes for complaint and the number of ac-
| cidents would be greatly reduced"
Ctflcer Wilson is detailed for duty with
| the Humane Society. He says In his re-
| port:
Referring to the recommendations made
| In my reports for the past six years. the
| experience of another year causes me to
| again respectfully invite attention to the
| Importance of enforcing the provisions of
the Edmunds act against adultery and for
| hlcatlon L am approached daily by
| mothers principally coloreD carving
their iilegitimate offspring with the re-
| quest that they be placed in some institu-
ton or home. l invariably refuse if the
mother Is healthy and able to work for
| them l think bastardy is on the increase
and those responsible should be punished
to the extent of the law, with a view of
| decreasing this unfortunate condition. In
this connection l beg to call attention to
the necessity for a law to punish husbands
| and fathers for failing to support their
wives and children. Many cases come un-
| der my observation where such a law could
be applied with very beneficial results
The report shows the work done by the
officer, as follows:
| Number of cases investigated. ........... 333i
| Number Of persons prosecuted.. IL
| Number Of persons fined 4
Number of persons sent to jail...... ]
Number of persons execution of sem
tence suspended and personal bonds
taken ....--....................
Number of cases nolle prosequi entered.
Number Of cases dismissed. ed...............
Amicably adjusted. ................-.........32 30
Total Observation-Disclosures. 33a3;5
! Harbormaster Sutton's report shows the