The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-20
DUTIES TOURISTS MUST PAY.
Some of the Regulations for Traveller
in Europe.

in Europe.
Americans who propose to take bicycle
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 for
eign cyclers. says an exchange. To be talk
en- unaWares. or to be caught mapping, es-
peclally in foreign country, is very I'M
pleasant and therefore traSelers who are
wise will carefully study the following rules
before they cross the Atlantic The duty on
cycles brought into France is S4S25 on ev-
cry 222 pounds-about % cents per pound
dead weight. This duty must be paid on
cycles Imported for sale, and the same
amount may be required as a deposit from
any American who lands in France with a
cycle, even though his sole intention is to
tour through the country on his wheel 1t
seems, however. that this deposit is only
required in exceptional cases and when the
authorities have reason to suspect that for
eign cyclists are not bona fide tourists
When the deposit is made lead seal is at
tached 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 81
on each cycle, but this is only collected
from residents and not from tourists. The
revenue from this tax, which. in 1856
amounted TO 100000 francs, is spent on
improving the public highways Any one
touring through France will have to OBJ
serve the following ministerial decree:
Each wheel must be provided with a gong
or bell capable OF being heard at a distance
or nifty yards. A plate, bearing the name
and address of owner must be attached 70
cycle. Lanterns must be lighted nm
down.
Cyclists must take the right on meeting
vehicle and, when passing one. must take
bell.
In crowded thoroughfares the cycIist
must disnount and lead his wheel
Cyclists are forbidden TO form groups so
10 obstruct the public ways or TO pass
through funeral corteges or military pro-
Cyclists are forbidden TO cycle on pave
ments and sootpaths reserved for pedes-
roads are paved or being mended. In cases
where II 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 cveiist
Is travelling first, second or third class,
In Germany the duty on cycles is about
deposit
IN austria there is q duty or xl2.W on ey-
cry cycle imported for sale. Each tourist
too, must deposit $40 at the custom house
and make an affidavit that his wheel is
nor for sale, and that he does not intend to
become resident of the country. When his
tour is over he gets back the deposit.
IN Belgium the duty is II per cent. ad
valOTem, and tourists are required to de-
pcsit a sum equivalent TO that amount
which is refunded when they leave the
country
Ia Denmark the duty is 10 per cent ad
v0loFen, and tourists must make a deposit
equal 70 that amount as 81 guarantee that
their wheels are not for sale. This deposit
- refunded only at the custom house where
the entry was made, unless a special per-
init Is granted allowing the cyclist to OBJ
tain tho deposit through aaother customs
bureau.
Ia Egypt the duty is per cent ad va
loren, and the same formality Is observed
as In Denmark. Cyclists should be sure to
get receipt for the money deposited, OF
which only z per cent. viii be refunded.
There is no duty in England.
IN Greece the duty is az On each cycle,