The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1897-08-14
EuRoPE.s CYCLING RULES.
Annoying Restrictions Placed -
Tourists from Foreign Countries.

Tourists from Foreign Countries.
Americans who propose to take bi.
cycle tours through Europe during the
present summer will do well to acquaint
themselves with the rules which the
various European countries have laid
down in regard to foreign cyclers. To
be taken unawares or to be caught
mapping, especially in foreign coun-
try, is very unpleasant, and therefore
travellers who are wise will carefully
study the following rules before they
cross the Atlantic. The duty on cycles
brought into France is $4S.26 on every
222 pounds--about rs cents per pound,
dead weight. This duty must be paid on
cycles imported for sale, and the same
amount may be required as deposit
from any American who lands in France
with cycle, even though his sole inten-
ton is to tour the country on his wheel.
1t seems, however, that this deposit is
only required in exceptional cases and
when the authorities have reason to sus'
pect that foreign cyclists are not bona
fde tourists. When the deposit is made
lead seal is attached to the cycle with
the custom house mark stamped on it.
The tourist can leave the country by
any frontier, and as soon as he crosses
French territory the deposit is returned
to him.
There is in France an annual tax OF
two dollars on each cycle, but this 10
only collected from residents and not
from tourists. The revenue from this
tax, which in 1896 amounted to 1,000,-
0oOf.. is spent on improving the public
highways. Anyone touring through
France will have to observe the follow
ing ministerial decree:
Each wheel must be provided with
gong or bell capable of being heard at
distance of so yards. A plate. bearing the
name and address Of the owner, must be at
tached to cycle. Lanterns must be lighted
at shutdown.
..Cyclist must take the right on meeting
a vehicle and. when passing one, must take
the left. decreasing speed and sounding
| the bell.
sIn crowded thoroughfares the cyclist
must dismount and lead his wheel.
Cyclists are forbidden to form groups,
| so as to obstruct the public ways, or to
| pass through funeral corteges or military
| professions.
Cyclists are forbidden to cycle on pave
1
| TRANS, except In the country where the
! roads are paved or being mended. In cases
| where it is permitted to cycle on the foot
| paths the cyclist must moderate his speed
when meeting pedestrians"
| All French railroads are required to
carry cycles as baggage, and are held
responsible for any damage, the amount
of indemnity varying according to
whether the cyclist is travelling first,
second or third class.
In Germany the duty on cycles Is
about three cents per pound. Tourists,
however, are entirely unrestricted, and
need not pay any deposit.
In Austria there is duty of $12.06 on
every cycle imported for sale. Each
tourist, too, must deposit ten dollars at
the custom house and make an affidavit
that his wheel is not for sale, and that
he does not intend to become a resident
of the country. When his tour is over
he gets back the deposit.
In Belgium the duty is IL per cent.
ad valorem, and tourists are required to
deposit a sum equivalent to that
amount. which is refunded when they
leave the country.
In Denmark the duty is ten per cent
ad yalorem, and tourists must make a
deposit equal to that amount as guar
antee that their wheels are not for sale
This deposit is refunded only at the
custom house where the entry was
made, unless special permit is granted
allowing the cyclist to obtain the de
post through another customs bureau
In Egypt the duty is eight per cent
ad va,orem, and the same formality IL
observed as in Denmark. Cyclists
should be sure to get receipt for thu
money deposited, of which only sever
per cent. will be refunded.
There is no duty in England.
In Greece the duty is two dollars OF
each cycle, and tourists are required II
! nav deposit of two dollars and al
octrol duty of 40 cents. The latter i
} refunded, but of the two dollars, on
,, dollar is retained sfor expense" ant
even more may be retained if the cyclis
does not leave the country by the sam
| custom house.
! In Italy the duty is SSH, and tourist
are required to deposit this amount
!. which is refunded when they leave tn
country. No deposit, however, need b
made by members of the Touring Gu
de France.
: The duty in Spain is 1882 per ~
pounds-about six cents per pound.
temporary pass of six months duration
is given to each tourist, and for thi
9 90 cents is charged. A deposit equivs
: lent to the amount of duty must ais
be made, and this will be duly refunded
T. There are many tedious formalities !
: connection with the importation OF cy
cles into Spain, and tourists who do no
: care to waste time will do well to OF