Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-23
MORE ABOUT WHEELS.
One Who Rides and One Who Walks
Give Views.

Give Views.
The bicycle controversy, in all it's many
phases, continues to interest both sections
of the community. The letter signed IL"
printed recently in The Star, has drawn
forth this communication from a wheel
man signing himself "a:
"Will you kindly permit another subscriber
to add word in reply to l.? Almost daily
for the past five years l have ridden my
silent steed through the city streets, never
avoiding any point, however crowded, and
without ever having endangered the life or
limbs of others. and fail to see the neces-
sity for more stringent rules governing the
use of wheels. l know from observation
that there are careless and Indifferent
riders, who do run people down, and would
heartily like to see them arrested and made
examples of, but have not observed any
cause for complaint so far as the vast ma
jcrity of wheeimen and women are con-
cerned.
Regarding the use OF the bell, experience
has taught me that it is not good practice
to ring 1t, save upon rare occasions. If the
pedestrian is unadvised of the approach of
a wheel the cyclist can always pull behind or
in front of him without inconvenience or
danger to either, save in crowded or OBJ
Structed places, and in the latter his speed
should be so reduced as to make an accident
impossible. To maintain ones speed and
depend upon the bell to clear the way is but
to court danger alike to rider and pedes-
TRAN, for some will be confused and sion
or step the wrong way, while others will NOT
heed the warning, being in the condition
of the man who, having eyes, sees not, and
having ears, hears not. On the other hand,
find the brake of much use to me- and TINS
far with it's aid have never failed to hiring
my wheel under complete control, however
suddenly my path has been INSTRUCTED by
careless or Indifferent pedestrians needless
drivers, approaching vehicles or other
causes.
BY the ordinarily careful rider the ONLY
accidents likely to be caused are such as are
due to contributory negligence on the part
OF the pedestrians, and these cannot be
obviated by odious regulations. How much
contributory negligence there is all riders
well know. Children not only dart suddenly
In front of the wheel while at play, but even
purposely step in the way, while adults sud
denly and unexpectedly jump in front of one
from car. step from the curb without look
Ing around when but a foot or two away,
deliberately cross our path, etc.
Let us have an observance of the golden
rule by pedestrians, as we'll as by cyclists
and let a few examples be made of the reck-
less riders and drivers, and there will be no
necessity for further regulations, nor cause
for complaint
Separate Roads for Wheels.
The non-riding population is championed
by '"T. H. A. who writes: IF any one
doubts the advisability of either limiting
the speed of bicyclists to that Of other We
hicles. especially in the public grounds, or
of providing roads for their exclusive use,
I would recommend him to drive, ride or
walk on the circle in the White Lot some
afternoon from to 6 o'clock. would.
however, warn him that in doing so he will
incur the risk of not only getting killed
himself, but of being the contributiye cause
of the death Of some aspirant to bicycle
fame. This risk will be augmented If, per
a
hcrses, whose inherited antipathies to sud-
den surprises have not yet been overcome,
AS the bicycle has evidently come to stay.
would 1t not be wise at once to provide, as
Tar as possible, special track for its use,
and thus minimize the risks to which every
cltlzen Is now exposed? Why, for instance,
might not an inner circle of ten or twenty
feet In width be made around the White
Lot, and devoted entirely to the bicyclists.
at the same time prohibiting them from
going on the main drive? am sure this
suggestion will be approved alike BY
Drivers riders, walkers and bicyclists.''