The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-07
A MISSING LINK.


cycle paths which is to go forward, we
understand, with great activity as soon
as the season permits, there is one
small bit OF work the necessity for
which does not seem to have sufficient
Iy impressed the cycle path association.
This is the construction of the missing.
link in the favorite route of wheel
men on Summit avenue, between Lex
ington and Smelling. At present, the
excellent cycle path on Summit ends
at Lexington, and, from that point
until it begins again at Smelling, the
rider, save when the road is in excep-
tionally fine condition, must take to
the sidewalk There is scarcely a
stretch of street in this city where
sidewalk riding is so Objectionable.
both to the public and to the wheel
men, as on this particular route. From
Lexington avenue there is a compara-
lively narrow walk running west. with
two sharp turns before the railroad
bridge is reached. Then the rider. I'M
less he turns into the roadway, in
which case it is practically impossible
for him to get back upon the side
walk without dismounting, must trav-
erse the narrow side path of the bridge.
where two wheels cannot meet without
almost certain collision. When the
bridge is crossed there are two other
turns to be made. with shrubbery so
arranged that a coming rider cannot
be seen, and only constant and vigor-
Gus ringing of the bell will warn one
of his danger. After the second turn
is passed there is a long reach of side
walk that stands high above the
ground, so that the danger of running
off the edge is no laughing matter.
This is the great thoroughfare for
nearly all the wheelmen Of the city.
On most fine evenings this sidewalk is
pretty nearly a solid mass of wheels,
ranged in two long lines, one going in
each direction, with a scattering Of
scorchers, who throw both Of them into
and a threat to the rider who lacks ex-
perience or perfect control of his wheel.
1t is probably true that the necessity
of passing this link from Lexington to
Smelling destroys the pleasure of nnany
lovers of the wheel, while it is a Just
cause for complaint on the part of all
pedestrians who wish to use that side
walk, and must use it if they walk at
all. Nobody has ever gone over this
course without being impressed with
the almost criminal foolishness and i'm
propriety of COMPRISING all foot and
bicycle travel on this popular thorough
fare upon a few feet of board walk
placed high above the ground.
The very first cycle path building
done this year ought to be the filing in
of this missing link. Continue the pres
ent path from Lexington avenue to the
bridge, ending it so that wheelmen will
so through the bridge on the driveway
at the west end of the bridge on the
south side of Summit avenue, where
there is abundant room. and, at the
present time, not even a sidewalk to
be interfered with. This would make a
beautiful path for wheelmen straight
from Avon street to the river, without
a foot of sidewalk riding in it, and
would leave the walk on the north side
of Summit avenue to the residents in
that vicinity and The foot passengers,
to whom it belongs Desirable as it is
to have the Summit avenue cycle path
continued up he river IL the Franklin
avenue bridge and down the river to
Fort Smelling, and to have other paths
built on Lexington avenue to Como
and on Smelling avenue III the same di.
rection. the first work Of all should be
the completion Of the Summit avenue
path by building that part of it which,
strangely enough, has been omitted, al
though it is actually more necessary to
the comfort of both riders and walk
ers than any other portion.