New-York tribune., 1896-05-31
CYCLING ON THE EAST SIDE
THE SIDEWALK IS THE ONLY ACADEMf

THERE ALL LESSONS ARE GIvEN-woMEN RID
'ERs NO LONGER JEERED--A TYPICAL CLUB.
"A year ago you scarcely ever saw woman
a wheel in this part Of the town, but they are
taking TO 1t right along now, said young
Rivington-st. merchant, who. though not
wheclman himself notes what goes on In front
Of his door.
"The old folks used to think that 1t wasn't
proper for woman to 90 out on bicycle par
ticularly the Hebrew women; whenever girl
was seen on a wheel people used to holler at her
and crowd round and make fun. but they've quit
that now and there's plenty Of girls learning
Up on Canal and Essex and Division sts at night
there's a lot OF them out. The pavements are
gooda along there and there ant the crowd Of
pushcarts and babies and children ali over the
street at night. as there is in the day There
wouldn't be much use in their trying to ride in
the day. the place is too thick with people. be-
sides most OF the girls over here busy all day.
NO, They don't wear boomers much, dresses
mostly"
The bicycle shops on the East Side are odd.
They are not put down in any directory, and the
casual observer might fail to notice them amid
the dense conglomeration OF signs. stands, booth.
and crowded doorways and windows they are
there. however and do a steady and increasing
business. II Is in a shabby basement. poorly
lighted and poorly ventilated. that one OF the
most popular Of these resorts Is situated. The
descent to II Is by steep flight OF steps. In the
middle OF which a groove Cor running the bicycles
I'D and down has been made for the convenience
OF patrons
where do you give lessons" Is the inquiry. as
the visitor glances abort the narrow confines OF
the apartment. more than one-haf OF which Is
taken up with the platform on which stand the
wheels
up on the street" returns the clerk.
"And what CHARGE"
Thirty cents for The first hour. and - cents
for every hour after II only two hours, 30 cents;
for a wheel TO use all Sunday, 81
What do you ask for ladys wheel to be used
this afternoon" inquired voice from the street
above.
The voice belonged to young man. who
,tooped down so as 10 look al the clerk below.
"Did YOU ever get a wheel here before" was
the question In return.
"No. Never here before"
well! you couldn't get 1t to-day nohow. then
was the cheering Information.
How so?"
Because We only let's out wheels 70 them what
gives us their names the day before. 50 We can
find out II they live where they say they do Is
the explanation.
"It 4 leave a deposit. say s2?" persists the Gus
toner
mot 1, YOU leave S5 The wheel Is worth
long s,rht more than 81 We have had trouble
doing that kind OF business. We look UP all our
customers once a month 10 see II thcy nave
moved" The customer withdrew at this ana
tho clerk wns askel the price OF such wheels as
for sale
o,ty-
Twenty dollars up. We MAKE wheeis our
s.,v.a sometimes. and some OF these were bought
second hand and repaired, so they are good az
new. We take wheel, in exonange Plso with
a little trouble q wheel that has been used
couple of seasons can be fixed as strong as eVcr
Now that bicycle .he-c came In here compIe'ey
smashed ND. A young lady was rhing II 10
Coney Island on Sunday. and these HidiIc ooi's
hrok. lo.sa and the whole thing went 70 pieces
The boss here fixed 1t himself and now she"
be all right again .,.
Fully thirty couples take lessons or pracuce
riding up on the street In front OF thls resoIt
on dn. nights The fun keeps up until aft'r
midnight and there are plenty OF spectators 10
enjoy the accidents that bcfaii nn'"cHy De-
II was after the bicycle became poi uar In the
neighborhood that certain shrewd spirits re-
o,nized the chance - make "A little money, anu
onened th,se schools several OF which are In
Dvls!on-st The people OF III" neighoorhood lve
in such crGmped quarters that even thpf" WIZ
car afford TO own a Wheel prefer " S'''e '"'"
In these places.
Most OF the proprietors OF these part-shops'
part academies. are young men VINO nave
Gently gone into the business. Several have
natural turn for mechanics which tn'S ""''
thus put to practical use . ., .. :.
81 learned about machines In The old country.
explains the proprietor OF a school on the srouhu
fo,r Of a corner hous.. lie Is dark and swarthy'
and in his bue-strped shirt ana overahs. WIN
his brawny arms, barred above the bow pre-
sents a striking contrast to the correctly at
tired Individual occupying NE pos position IN one
OF the fashionable academies uptown.
"In Hungary" he Is asked ..,.
mo: Russia. be now three years In this
country. make some wheels myself. nave
nifty wheels In here Many Sundays they are
all out. j have SIX ladies Wheels anu '"e' "''
oil hired. too"
and you give lessons?'
"Yes To learn them right. charge 40 cents
S"t So1 i denis snsy svery "r"" ~
The collections OF wheels In these academies
are OF divers and various kinds. often several
years old. ,x. -.
one of which the Lincoln Wheelmen. Is discussing
the admission OF women. The knlckerbocker
and the Oriental have established themseNes'
and two or three lately formed bands are arrang-
ing for permanent quarters. II Is seldom that the
wheeling alone Is the only feature OF these assoca-
tions 1t has been found that TO Introduce other
attrac actions Of social nature helps TO create In
terest and 10 increase the revenues one cup
which has fitted up the first floor OF a mouse In
Ea st Broadway for its accommodation sells cigars.
drinks and other articles TO outsiders and so
helps out It's not toe full treasury. The members
OF the club take turns In dispensing these Things
each evening thus doing away with the necessity
of hiring an attendant. The clubrooms. though
dinry-looking on the outside. inhospitably closed
during the day while the wheelmen are at work.
are bright and cheerful at night. having plano
and accommodations for pool cards and other di-
This club has over hundred members only
small proportion OF which numper as yet own
VIA p1tth N