The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-25
a BIKE TRACK FOR PARIS
NOVEL SCHEME IN CONNECTION
WITH THE 1900 EXPOSITION.
To Run Through and Around the
Grounds and buildings for n Dis
tance of Twenty Miles.


Herald has furnished that paper with de-
scription of the proposed plan by which
visitors to the exposition in 1900 may have
an opportunity of seeing the whole grand
show from bicycle if they desire it. The
plan is to build winding track in and out.
up and down, all around the grounds and
charge a special admission for those who
prefer this sort Of locomotion to public cars
and cabs and chairs
The beginning and terminus of the bicycle
track will be the main entrance of the ex-
position. Although these two are to be the
same, it is the Only place where the points
of arrival and departure will meet. The
track will start from the main entrance, as
stated, and then run about and in several
cases through, the principal buildings.
1t will be twenty feet wide and construct
ed in the most thorough manner. Twenty
feet will give an opportunity for the pas
sage of four riders abreast, and as the BIZ
cyclists must always travel the same way
no one will have to meet other wheelmen
and turn out for them to go by
The plan provides for at least twenty
miles of track The material used will be
any strong wood laid over iron Orders the
track to be supported in any case by iron
pillars long and short. Over the wood floor
ing will be scattered a compound of earth
and gravel, like very fine composite On
top of this is to be placed a coating of
asphalt Upon each side of the track will
be iron cutters, and as the track itself is
to be slightly rounded this will serve to
carry off the rain. At intervals of an
eighth OF mile along the track it is the
intention to have uniformed attendants,
ana each of these attendants must be pro-
Vided with and understand the use of the
implements and accessories for repairing
any ordinary break or puncture
wherever one of these attendants is sta
Iloned tnere VIII be a stairway or entrance
to the bicycle track. This is not intended
Tor the use of Wheelnen Unfortunately,
but only for those who do not wish to go to
the main entrance to the track before TAX
ing spin thereon. At intervals of three
quarters OF mile there will be regulation
exits and entrances for all those who wish
70 make use of them. The approaches
thereto Will be constructed in the same
manner as the track itself, and no one who
IS on loot Will be permitted to use them un-
fesS an emergency makes it necessary
The plan further provides for the station
ing OF physicians at intervals of two miles,
each OF whom should be ready to respond
to a call that comes from a point within a
mile on either side of him. This is not
wholly due to the possibility of an accident
but because the inventor believes, and the
committee with him, that where so many
ride the wheel as at present there is the
same need or physicians service by rea-
son Of natural causes as would exist in the
case of the presence of vast numbers of
pedestrians. IneSe physicians Will be part
of the medical corps and ambulance service
OF the exposition itself Telephone COM
munication is to be arranged along the en-
tire length of the track. To Il certain ex-
tent this telephone system will be for the
use OF the employees, but every other tele-
phone will be public
1t is also suggested that at intervals
along the route restaurants be located so
that II a Wheelman wishes to dine at a res
taurant en- route he can telephone to that
place just as he starts and the meal will
be awaiting him when he reaches there
The inventor naively remarks that he
thinks this feature of his plan will particu-
larly suit the Americans, as they are al
ways in a hurry.
The bicycle track inside the buildings will
be elevated ten feet from the floor and will
run down the center of the main aisles
after the fashion of the elevated railroads
in the streets in the cities of the United
States 1t is claimed that a twenty foot
track will not at all obstruct the light or
view and that if pains are taken to make
the structure ornate it will really be an
ornament rather than a detriment to the
interiors Of the buildings through which it
passes.
1t is this traversipg of the buildings
which the committee considers the only
serious objection to the plan.
AS a whole the bicycle track will be a
sort of uphill and down-dale affair, this
feature being regulated by the topography
of the grounds. Of course, there will be a
grand canal at the exposition, and as it is
to wind in a most devious fashion the BIZ
cycle track in it's long tour win be forced
to bridge it in several places.