The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-27
PROSECUTING BICYCLE HATERs.
Crusade Against Truck Drivers and
Ofhera in New York.


Others in New York.
The New York Journal has started a Wig
orous warfare for the protection of wheel
riders in their right IN the use of the
streets. There have been numerous cases
where bicyclists have been deliberately run
down. by truck drivers. 1t is to bring these
Offenders to justice that the Journal has
offered to pay the expense of prosecution in
cases where the driver was in the wrong.
The Journal also stands ready to aid the
wheelmen in securing all their rights in
the streets, as the following card, published
by that paper, shows:
ITO the Cycling Public: The numerous
instances reported of wheelmen being run
down by reckless drivers, their safety men
aced by those who refuse to recognize
the rights of the bicycle to the use of the
public streets, prompts the Journal to make
this offer:
Report promptly to this paper any case
of injury to wheelman, or damage to his
property which results either from reck-
lessness or wantonness on the part of driv-
erS of vehicles.
1.-THE Journal will cause an investigation
to be made Immediately, and if circum-
stances warrant, will aid vigorously in the
prosecution of the offenders, providing legal
aid If it is necessary.
I'm order to facilitate the measures to
be taken to secure better protection for
wheelmen on public streets addresses of
eyewitnesses should be secured at the
time. if possible, and sent to the city edi-
tor of the Journal
Along with this card is another by Presi-
dent Isaac b. Potter, of the League of
American Wheelmen, as follows:
The Journal has done much in the di-
rection of protecting wheelmen from reck-
less drivers and others who seem to take
a malicious delight in injuring them and
their property. Its offer to aid in the en-
forcement of the laws for protection of
wheelmen can be made to accomplish a
great deal more.
Tho l.. A. W., through its committee on
rights and privileges, has in this city alone
caused some eighty prosecutions to be
port any cases Of injury, serious annoyance
or insult. There are bicycle haters who
must be taught through the law that
wheelmen are not to be run down or
knocked about with impunity What is
needed, too, Is newspaper prominence to
the cases in which punishment is melted
out to this class Of Offenders In the courts.
THE Indifference Of cyclists and their dis
inclination TO go to the trouble of causing
arrests and prosecutions are largely ac
countable for so many accidents on the
streets. The Journals crusade is having a
practical effect, and wheelmen should be
quick to take advantage of its offer in this
connection"
This proposition was made only short
time ago, but already the good effect of it
is being felt in New York. In two or three
cases drivers have been prosecuted and
convicted criminally and the way paved for
civil action which is to follow. The wheel
haters who believe that a bicycle has no
right on a street are being shown that they
cannot with impunity run down a cyclist
and break UP his property or in1ure him
bodily. Those who do not respect the rights
of the wheelmen are being made to respect
to take up these cases and prosecute them
is having a wholesome effect