The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-05-10
WHIRLS OF THE WHEEL.

Jones Dust learning)-Why, 1t beats rum
ming, jumping, Turkish bath and foot
ball game united.
The Arizona legislature has passed a bill
compelling all the railroads in the state
to carry bicycles as baggage.
Brown elderly gentleman on the side
Walk)-Do you consider that the bicycle
exercises all the muscles of the body?
1t is said on good authority that a per-
manent cycle show will be held this sea-
sen at Atlantic City, which will continue
during the months of June, July and Au-
gust.
Since pneumatic tires have come into
use on cabs in Paris, ii has been found
that owing to the reduced shock to We
hicles the cost of repair has been lessenod
so per cent,
There is an agitation in Nebraska to put
bicycle thieves on an equal footing with
horse thieves in regard to severity of pun
ishment. This will make the offense very
near a capital one.
The wheelmen who use the Brooklyn
cycle path complain Of pedestrians using
the path and getting in their way. Steps
are now being taken to bar the public
from walking on the path.
The state of West Virginia has adopted
a bicycle law, which regulates speed,
keeps wheels off the sidewalk, requires
bell warning when necessary, and pre-
vents the malicious placing of obstruc-
tions on the roads, with a penalty for a
violation of any of it's sections.
The bicyclists of st. Louis have asked
for the passage of bill by the city coun-
ell to impose a tax of one dollar on every
wherein the city owned by persons over
twelve years Of age. The bill was passed
and with it wi1e-tire ordinance that was
prepared by the Vehicle Owners associa-
tion.
A bicycle dealer in Hdckensack, N. j.,
has placed in his shop a kitchen range
boiler, which is kept full of air under
pressure, and connected with hose run
ming to the outside of the building. Bicy-
clists, by connecting the valves on their
wheels with the hose and turning a stop
cock, may quickly initiate their tires with
out pumping.
There is one custom, says the Providence
Journal, which has been followed so long
that 1t has become almost a rule of the
road. Its close observance will save many
an accident. 1t is that the riders on the
main streets, the trunk highways, have
the right of way over any wheelmen COM
ing into them from the cross streets.
Many riders are careless about this mat
ter. They come at full speed around a
corner from a cross street, not knowing
whether there are any whcelnyn or
wagons which will be in their way on the
main highway. They come so fast that
they cannot stop or regulate the curve
that they will take with the result that
collisions are more frequent from this
cause than any other. In coming through
from a cross street the rider should slow
up and ride at pace at which he can con-
trol his wheel and give the cyclists on the
main highway the right of way
The New York bicycle parade, which
will be held June 3, promises to be con-
spicuous in point of floral designs If for
nothing else. A bevy of girls propose
dressing all in white with their wheels
elaborate!y decorated in roses of scarlet
and white, while another bicycle, repre-
senting a yacht, will have the frame en-
tirely hidden by flowers. These are only
a few Of the features.
One great drawback to the universal
popularity Of the wheel is the false impress
sion that exists that bending or STOPPING
position is necessary on account of the
popularity of it's construction, The skep-
tics make much noise on this score, but
overlook the fact that riders by adjusting
their handle bars can sit as erect as a
stone monument, If desired, though, OF
course, this position is assumed at the eX-
pense Of speed.
Sunday riding has aroused the church
going public of Evanston, H., to a high
degree. The church people Of the town
have denounced pleasure riding as moral
ly Injurious and claim that they have
broken the fourth commandment, suf.
ficient grounds upon which to ostraclse
them from society. Among those who
come under the ban of the Sabbath cru,
saders are several young ladies who were
snubbed because they took a recent spin
on Sunday.
Bicycle reform is gradually spreading
| This is especially true of the agitation
| having in view the passage OF bills com
| pelling the railroads to carry bicycles a.
| baggage. Such bills are now i'm force IN
the empire state, South Carolina, Arizona
California and Ohio; ana the prospect Is
bright for the passage of similar acts n
| New Jersey, Michigan and several othel
| states. The bill recently passed by the
| legislators of New Jersey now only needs
the signature Of the governor to make 1t Z
| law.
The cyclometer has always been a fav
orite instrument with cyclists. This it'll,
register te.ls the wheelmen how many
miles he has covered on run. and ais;