The morning times., 1896-07-31
ON THE RULES OF THE ROAD
Suggestions Regarding Changes in
the Bicycle Regulations.
False Premises on Which Those Now
in Force Are Based-Letter to
the Commissioners.

Mr.. ". Y. Stevens, the superintendent
of the bathing beach, has submitted TO the
| Commissioners sundry suggestions for their
consideration in Formulating laws for the
regulation of bicycle riGlng and other
highway travel.
Mr. stevens says the suggestions are
drawn from an experience of twenty-six
yearsin theuseof bicycles fourteen or which
have been spent in Washington.
1t should be borne in mind, he saws
that the streets have been constructed
for the purpose OF rapid and econoInf
transit for the general pubic, and every
obstacle to this, everything that inter-
feres swlthtrayelconnnensG withtodayG
ideas of progress should be removed.
II have observed that the drivers of
|. heavy carts and wagons, and particularly
the lazy boys who drive dirt wagons, keep
on the shady side OF the street, regardless
OF right or left. Their heavy wheels can
not be broken and they are arrogant IN
the extreme.
Again: Persons standing in the street
TO wait for u car frequently cause dan.
geroas blockade, and persons often, /
may say generally, stand directly III line
OF the walks when waiting ON d corner.
1t would be great Improvement II tie
police required all such 10 stand at the
curb OF cue street and back of the building
line on the other. That would leave the
walks open in other directions.
"As TO the rate OF speed OF any moving
object, no person is a reliable Judge, bu,
nearly ali spectators would agree as TO
riders OF drivers careiessness or caution
at any time and place
Congress adopted bicycles for mes
sengers because they are quicker than
horses. That practical act Is a license
for high speed, which volumes of theorI
could not Counteract.
There are times when one mile an hou
would be dangerous, and other times when
a squirt may be safely made at tie rate OF
twenty miles an hour II sht on Penns ylvaniz
avenue.
There cannot be a law framed fixing
a rate of speed or half-Gozen rates foI
different times and places that can possibly
be lived up TO. The mai n points to secure
the greatest measure of freedom with tho
least danger, and as all court decision VIII
turn on the question: Was he riding Oh
driving carelessly?' that should be the legal
standard.
AS to the bell it / S no protection what.
ever to the pedestrian. II protects the
cyclist only. In case before courtit was
shown that cyciist ran woman down a.
a crossing, but he was let. off because hil
lamp was lighted and lie sounded his bell
He ought to have been punished as reckless,
l have not used m y bell half dozen timer
in fourteen years, and never ran agains
a pedestrian.
My only use of the bell is to move
some impudent party who wants TO make
trouble. / ring the bell and then %
for him straight. He admits the lega
argument Of the bell, and lodges in tht
nick Of time.
Boys coasting in little wagons, or kick
ing them along the street, are the Gauss
Of much trouble. They run suddenly be.
fore horses, causing alright or SO sudden
haul up that the next Carriage behind
runs its pole into the one that is stopped
"Sundown is an unnecessary early hour
to require lamps to be lighted. AS long
as rider can be seen n square away
plainly enough to tell whether he is COM
ing or going. the lamp is not needed, aud
the policeman and cyClist car
settle the question on the spoo uy tnat
standard.
The inner flange Of car tracks at corner
turns is raised above the tread, and Is
kept creased, causing thousands of dollars
damages annually in breaking down We
hicle wheels ami in throwing riders Such
flanges are only necessary where cars are
permitted to run fast aroInd curves ut the
foot of 4 hill.'