New-York tribune., 1896-05-09
IN THE CYCBING WORLD.
CHIEF CONSUL POTTER ANSWERS MR.
wooDRUFFs STATEMENT.
TIE THREATENED TO CARRY THE OCEAN PARK
WAY MATTER TO THE COURTs-THE NEW

WAY MATTER TO THE COCRTS-THE NEW
YORK ATHLETIC CLUBS coAsTING MATCH.
In replying to Park Commissioner Woodrun )
statement about keeping wheelmen OFT ocean PARK
way in Brooklyn Chief Consul Isaac b. Potter "a q
Yesterday: Il desire to be squarey understood In
the matter OF this new regulation which forblds
whoelmen the use OF the Ocean Parkway, between
Prospect Park and Coney Island. No attempt to be-
fog the issue or to beg the question Will alter the
position OF the L. A. W. We ready to aid the
Park Department In every lawful and reasonable
effort to regulate the Of the drvcways but we are
not willing to aid that Department in any attempt
to make Itself ridiculous. This regulation Is not
justified BY the facts nor warranted by law
There Is only way to stop scorchng, and that
Is to arrest promptly and punish severely every
cyclst who violates the speed ordinance. A few ar
among the drivers OF horses for similar viola
ton would not have bad effect. Most cyclists
look upon this rule ungra ceful attempt
to discriminate against them. and to restore the
same conditions which brought on the conflict OF
1887
"The argument that cycle paths have been pro-
vded for wheemen supplies no reason for an un-
lawful regulation The cycle paths were not built
for the wheelmen much as to relieve the PARK
Department from a most embarrassing question:
The wheelmen demanded proper road surface and
the enforcement OF proper regulations They
claimed and still claim IL TO be the duty OF the De-
partment of Parks to provide road surface that Is
suitable for all vehicles making lawful use OF the
roadways The Ocean Boulevard disgrace to
the Department. The wheelmen objected to 1t be-
cause It was coated with thick mud thick dust
from end Of the year to the other Thousands
OF complaints were filed and the Department had
the opportunity either TO put hard. smooth. per-
manent surface on the Ocean Parkway or to prepare
special path for cyclists.
The latter was found to be cheaper. especially
pense and that is how It came to be built. IT, indeed
ever was built. Every heavy rainstorm turns the
cient to accommodate the crowds of cyclists who
make use of It, Many cyclists consider the roadway
the Park Department sees fit to maintain a soft sur
face on this roadway and to encourage It's use by
AS to the legal side of this question (Which is after
al the important side) have only TO say that the
ca TSs Of 1 sss qo to the Brokyn
Commissioner no special or remarkable powers
- IN Parts e OF hs 0' No % other com
missioner has attempted TO claim the right TO ignore
roadways. and deeply regret that the Park Depart
ment OF my home city should be the frs; TO attempt
II. We shall contest this question. II necessary. In
the courts. and again If necessary before the Legs
lature Il is more important that the general prin.
clpe declared by the terms OF the Liberty bill should
be established and maintained than tina, the rights
OF whsemen IN any particular M town IN This great
the form of a cycle path"
Tandem riding Is becoming more popular every
day. Two years ago It was a rare sight to see the
pcrlencng somo difficulty In supplying the market.
for most OF the makers behind orders and can
not turn their attention to building taniems until
we'll into the month OF May. The tandem has be-
come popular for the reason that In prOpel,lng Il
the exerton Is much loes than when pedaling along
on a single wheel. Tandems are compa nionabe.
and cmbody numerous other good qualities. The
day IL not far distant when a three-scatcd bicycle
VIII be almost ss common as the tandem. and no
doubt bicycle Will bc built TO accommodate 4
whole family.
The conditions for the coastlng match TO be run by
the NcwYork Athletic Club on May % are as fol-
lows:
The rider making the longest distance TO win
The contestants shall be pushed OF from a stand
stll. and whore the foot touches the ground when
the wheel falls shall be the finish. The feet must
be placed on a forward rest at starting and kept
there during the race. All wheels must 10 in the
same condition as for ordinary road track riding
ana the use or special appliances and gears Is
barred Tho qualification of each wheel must be
passed on by The committee AL makes OF wheels
allowed
large crowd Is expected AZ the Clerrnont Ave-
nue. Rink. Brooklyn tonight 10 attend n Wheel
woman's carnival. The carnival will be under the
direction OF Mrs Charlotte L. Bolton AMI the In
terior OF the building Will be Handsomely decorated