St. Paul daily globe., 1896-04-05
COUNSEL FOR WHEELMEN.

The sun will soon remove the snow
which the humorous director of the
weather bureau sent as his contribu-
ton to the first Of April practical jokes
for the especial diversion of the wheel
men. Smooth, clean streets and a
ers 20 spin, and the number Of them
will be legion this year. 1t Is safe to
estimate that the number of wheels
that will carry their riders through
our streets this summer will quadruple
those of last year. With this prospect
in view, few words Of counsel to
Wheelmen are not unreasonable; and,
judging by past experience. are need
ed.
A wheel IS, especially to the young
ster, what Jacks Seven League Boots
were to him, an irresistible temptation
to go fast. There is something in
fieetness of movement that intoxicates.
Horseback riders feel its glow, and 1t
is the first stimulating sensation OF
the wheel. 1t is the natural rebound
from the clogs of our customary loco
motion. To be suddely released from
the slow movement of walking and en-
abled to skim the surface OF the
ground like a swallow, and with al
most his velocity, is an enjoyment few
can resist. "Scorching;" as it is call
ed, is the first natural, reactionary
effect of this increased capacity for
getting over the ground. Hence these
low handle bars, compelling the alb
surd stoop and the sacrifice of all that
is really enjoyable and beneficial in
the wheel. We apprehend that this
result will be of short duration. and
that, when the taste for speed is. stated.
there will be return to normal condi-
tions.
But, meantime, wheelmen should re-
fleet They are an innovation. So
ciety has not yet adjusted itself to the
change. People are accustomed to
walking the streets without having to
care for more than the rafting car or
wagon or carriage, whose sound gives
warning of it's approach. They are
not yet used to the noiseIess wheel:
and the result has been frequent col
lisions, damaging to the collider and
collide, to adapt a legal expression
to meet new necessity Of language.
This has tended to excite a hostility
to the wheel that has found expression
in proposed enactments of ordinances
restricting wheel riding. It is sure.
If persisted in, to result in more and
more stringent regulations that will
impair the pleasure and the benefit of
wheeling. Now, this is a. condition
wholly within the control. in the first
instance, of the wheelmen, either indi-
vidually or through their clubs. In
the next instance it is in the control IF
society acting through its police force.
1t rests with wheelmen to say which
method shall be used One or the
other will be.
Some suggestions with the end in
view of preventing accidents are op-
perfume. In the first place, no matter
how tempting it may be, no rider
should venture en- q frequented street
until complete command of the whee!
is acquired, nor until self-confidence is
as well established as in walking.
Practice soon masters both, and that
is to be had on streets where risks will
not have to be run. Next, realize that
great speed is not exhilarating nor
heaithful nor necessary. Compelling
the bent position which prevents out
look it makes imminent collisions while
it impairs health. The law of the
road applies to wheels as well as y.ag-
ons. Pedestrians have the prior right