New-York tribune., 1896-05-09
BICYCLE RIGHTS AND WRONGS.

The right OF bicycle riders To the use OF pnbllc
streets involves some serious questions OF gen
eral safety and comfort. The Tribune has done
much to promote their interests. and Is not like
ly to be misunderstood by sensible persons when
II says that there are indications Of growing
irritation on account Of the license which wheel
men are taking IN the thoroughfarcs of New
York. What was Il matter OF infrequcnt OBJ
scrvatlon and only slight concern has become
an affair OF large importance, and may develop
before long into an issue In the settlement Of
which a multitude Of citizens will desire TO
take hand. The amazing multiplication OF
bicycles already causes In some parts OF the
city an inconvenent Overcrowding Of the streets
at times, but of this, though many persons may
deem II a nuisance, no complaint can be justly
made The bicycle has been declared 10 De
vehicle, and it Is illogical 10 be angry because
traffic has increascd-in other words because
the streets are extensively used for the purpose
for which they chiefly exist. The trouble Is that
by considerable number Of wheclmen they are
rccklessy and unlawfully used, and that the
evil grows worse continually.
The ordinance IL specific and would bc srIfii-
cient II 1t were universally obeyed. But the fact
Is that 1t Is pretty generally ignored to some
OF It's provisions, and that those who in partc
ular violate the speed regulations are already
numerous enough to cause not little actual
mischief and great deal OF nervous apprchcn-
sion The abuse Is, Of course. most marked ut
night, when the best eyesight Is only an i'm
perfect protection against surprise. The ordl-
nance requires every bicycle TO carry light and
O bell, which Is supposed to be sounded ut every
crossing, but In reality Is not sounded at all in
most cases by riders who Judge. or imagine,
that they have clear course before them.
Often at the last moment the pedestrian Is
rather confused than instructed and helped by
the sudden warming and II he Is not run down
is disagreeably startled. A nmble young per-
son can usually take care Of himself In these, or
worse circumstances, and suffers no special an
noyance. But older and feebler men and women
are seriously distressed by the sudden reaza-
ton that bicycle Is swiftly bearing down upon
them. We insist that at the best the use Of the
streets at night by wheclmcn Is now source
Of discomfort and anxiety to many persons on
foot
But we are not speaking Of the situation at
It's best We have in mind the selfish, reckless,
impudent transgressOrs Of the law and tres
passers upon the rights of others who delight
to whlrl around corners without warning and
sweep down upon the unwary on crossing, with
a laugh at the alarm they cause and only
very slight fear Of the police. If In cases where
actual injury is escaped they made only them
selves obnoxious, there would be less cause for
regret; but they are doing all they can to bring
a delightful and wholesome diversion into dis
repute, and to produce feeling of resentment
which Is not unlikely to find expression in legs-
lation II a dangerous nuisance Is not speedily
abated. We have little fault to find with the
police, and the members OF the bicycle corps
especially are skilful, vigilant and resoute. But
we do assert that the Magistrates generally are
too lenient with the offenders who are brought
before them, often after a hard chase What
ever degree OF consideration may have been
reasonable and proper in time past when the
bicycle was novelty and attention had not
been attracted to the abuse Of 1t, the time has
come beyond doubt to impose the maximum
penalty in every case. Six wheelmen who had
been arrested for fast riding On Thursday night
were let of with fine Of SO apiece. 1t was a
wholly inadequate punishment, whether regard
ed as penalty or deterrent. A few days ago