The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1896-10-15
THE BICYCLE.
ITS POSITION AS A SOCIAL
FACTOR.
Among Other Things a Great Leveler.

Philadelphia Record.
It is quite common for persons who
are not riders themselves to say that b.
cycling is but ''craze" or "fad"
which will soon die out, and that in a
few years the bicycle will he drug on
the market. In this they make grave
error. The wheel has risen above be-
ing toy it has become to many per-
sons one of the necessaries OF life. It
is another step forward in the develop
ment of manklnd-a long step, for it
enables a man to transport himself
from place to place at FIVE times the
distance with practically no cost beyond
the original purchase price, and with
out any necessity of expensive tracks
or roadways. Comparatively small as
to its cost, and with little expense for
maintenance, the bicycle has been the
means of starting social revolution.
In the last three years the wheel has
done more to advance the cause of tenn
perance than all the agitation of the
twenty-five years previous. Saloon
keepers claim that it has materially in
jured their business that the music
halls and beer gardens, which had here
tofore been thronged on pleasant even
ings, are now practically deserted and
that while an occasional rider may drop
In for refreshments, he contents him
self with single glass of beer or bot
tie of mineral water. There is certain
ly truth in this statement; tor while
wheeling may produce an active thirst,
a steady head is necessary for safe rid
ing.
Cigar dealers are also complaining
that their business has been Injurious
ly affected and riding undoubtedly in
terferes with smoking, thus decreasing
the consumption of tobacco. One Of
the prominent journals of the tobacco
trade claims that the sales of cigars
have decreased this present year a mil
lion day.
AS social leveler the bicycle has
been unequaled. The immense army
of riders is made up of all classes, and
as one watches the almost endless pro-
cessions that pass along the drives OF
Fairmount Park he is struck by the
unconventionallty and democracy OF it
all. The bank president and the clerk,
the society leader and the shop girl
ride side by side, each ready to extend
a helping hand to the other in case of
accident or to give information regard
ing the direction or condition of the
roads. Each feeling equal to the other
for the time being, they all try to
make themselves worthy of the compa-
ny they are in and consequently there
is less rowdyism or boisterons conduct
than in any other form of pleasure ex-
cursion.
AS the wheel is ridden by both sexes
and all ages, it naturally makes a COM
mon bond between the different men,
bers of the family. The husband, in
stead of going to the club, takes spin
with his wife. It draws mother and
daughter closer together; 1t makes the
son the companion OF the father.
Ridden in moderation, the bicycle is
of immense physical benefit; it is only
the abuse that is dangerous. Century
runs" and "scorching" are dying out,
and people are riding tor pleasure and
not to make records The beauties OF
Fairmount Park are becoming better
known, and the park concerts, which
formerly were slimly attended, have
this year been crowded.