Evening star., 1897-02-06
Total outlay for cycling. 81, ,3sO, 900


In Chicago it is estimated that there are
3pSD cycle riders, out of Its million odd
population, which at that rate would give
a proportion of the riding population to
the n-riding population equal to that of
TINS city, which is hardly correct. Like all
other figures put out by the windy city peo-
pie, they can be subject to revision and
about 5000 can be taken off the list as
phantom riders, which would make the
total riding population equal 80 OaU which
In itself is big figure. The facilities of
the city for the wheelmen are not near as
good as those of this city, and in view of
this the revised number seems astoundingly
large.
Those who have visited Chicago find the
cedar block or wooden pavement predom-
mate This style of street paving was fa-
miiar in this city in the days of the old
board of public works, though the last of
It's kind disappeared about ten years ago.
chicago still uses this kind of pavement
and in the current report OF the city ia theirs
II Is found that the total mileage of streets
of greater Chicago is equal to I0y2 40
or which '26-o1 miles are cedar block paw
ing 3D. II macadam. 30. 40 sheet asphalt:
3a9 block asphalt. If half of this be taken
as suitable for bicycle riding 1t will about
suit and be near correct, which is in con-
trdst with the riding facilities of our city.
The local authorities are not the only
ones that are drawing a tighter moose
around the necks of the bicycling frater-
II X
ing about the new police regulations af-
fecting them. the riders in the monumental
city have a fight of some sort on their
hands, ALI growing out of some new or
dlhances passed by the park board. To the
Washington wheelmen who visited Balti-
more last June it will be remembered that
the mounted police in Druid Hill Park OBJ
Jected to a speed of more than eight or ten
miles an hour. That was old regulation
The new regulation over which so much
klck is being made grows out of the pro-
hlbltlon of coasting in the parks of the city
Mhlch mas been promulgated by the park
board. In fighting this the Baltimore
Mheelmen brought up various other things
Their objections availed to some extent
and at a hearing given by the MAYOR the
Wheelmen of the city were allowed to have
one member on the park board, who will
endeavor TO have the new order rescinded
ana regulations protecting wheemen made
and enforced. In case they are unsuccess-
ful IN this, they will call to the Legislature
or the state for assistance.
The announcement has been made of the
invention of a pedal by a New York man
which makes il unnecessary to use a toe clin
TO keep the toe from slipping off the medal
while in motion. The account of the new
pedal, as described, states that it looks like
an ordinary pedal, weighing trifie more
The moment the foot touches the pedal the
clamps on the side contract, and hold the
shoe so tightly to make il impossible
for il 10 move. The moment the pressure
IS removed from the pedal, the pressure of
the side clamps relaxes and the foot can
be drawn away. The side clamps are ad-
Unstable, and can be made to fit a woman's
as well as a mans shoe. While this an
nounceInent is given due prominence as
new thing. it will be well to look back to-
ward the cycle show held in this city last
year Fred Owen, the local inventor, had
on exhibition. pedals almost constructed on
the identical plan described above. The
things worked like the clamp on a skate
only automatically. and have been received
with success by the cycling fraternity.