New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-02
USE OF ASPHALT STRIPS.
ABSURD TO SUPPOSE THAT CYCLISTS
ALONE CAN Go ON THEM-WHAT
THE NEW LAW PROVIDES


There is considerable misapprehenson In the
community regarding the purport Of an &C. of the
recent Legislature in reference to driving horses
or vehicles on paths constructed exclusively for
the use of bicycle riders. Within a week two COM
plants have been made public from persons who
suppose that the asphalt strips laid on certain
streets in this city are for the use of cyclists
alone
one of them said: ION severa! of our streets we
have the aspha. strips, which were laid. II | am
rightly informed, for the exclusive of cyclists.
Why not enforce this rule? Carriages, wagons rnd
trucks not alone these strips. but stop on same
and compel the wheemen to so out on the road
belgian pavement. They ought TO be compelled.
If stopping. do to the left OF these strips.
The second complainant told ii heart-rending tale
of an elderly cyclist who came to grief in Madison
ave. because d vehicle had been driven on the
asphalt ribbon and described how a trucknan
deliberately" drove the strip and laughed at
the wheoimen who were compelled to turn out on
the granite pavement to get around him.
John Proctor Clarke is the Assistant Corporato1
G,y the new law on the subject ap-
piled to the asphalt strips In Madison-ave and
Hudson-s;. In reply, he said:
Most certainly not Vehicles of all kinds have
right 10 any part OF a public street. ana 40
not how any law can deprive them of that
right. anyway this law does not" ,. c,o.,
Mr.. Clarke sent for copy OF the new law. Chap-
ter 267. which signed by Governor Black on
* person who wlfully and without authority or
necessity drives any team or vehic.e except
bicycle. upon a sidepath wheeway constructed
by or exclusively for the of bicycsts. and not
constructed "A street OF city, Is punishable by
a fine OF not more than $50 or Imprisonment not
exceeding thirty days. or both"
you see" said he, that to come under the law
such a path must not be In street OF city Even
II that provision were not in the act. 1t would be
absurd suppose that the asphalt strips were In
tended for the exclusive use OF blcyclists They
are for convenience OF bicyclsts 1t Is true but
it is perfectly right for vehicles OF any kind TO be
driven on them stand on them. 1t Is admitted
that the Board OF Aldermen have the right 70 regu-
late traffic on the public streets. they did some
time ago In requiring heavy vehicles on the Bou.e-
ward To keep near the curbstone. They have not
attempted TO rule trucks of the asphalt strips
How about the cycle paths a.ong the Boulevard
In Brooklyn and the one recently provided along the
upper part OF Riverside Drive was asked. Are
| they to be regarded a. In streets OF "A city,
We'll" replied Mr.. Clarke those drives are under
the Jurisdiction OF the Park authorities In the two
! cities and the Park Commissioners have the right
| TO regulate traffic drives under their control
| The law from which | have quoted was introduced
| by Senator Parsons. I believe. and intended
! primarily TO Apply TO the sdepaths built by wheel
| men to a considerable extent In the vicinity OF
| Rochester. 1t s preposterous to suppose that II
| applies TO asphalt strips laid In the streets OF a
| city The people who are crying out for the police
10 keep vehicles of these strips and let bcyclists
| ride on them don't Know what they are talking
| about