The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-02-14
SCANDINAVIA.
THE BIorctE mas cor aHrnh
Used By All sort. OF Peopi. and Baths
sinsticniiy Admired.

Ussa NJ All borfs OF People and E'NhN
sinstieaiiy Admired.
C~oPESHAoES, Jan. 3o.-Amer!cAns travel
ling abroad during the past summer and eeps-
clally thJse addicted To- the wheel, mast have
been struck BY tho prevalence 81 the bicy-
Gle Ia Scandinavia. Not only doss this apply
to the cities, but In the tountfy districts ;hs
wheeling craze has fastened itself uuon the
rural population a. we'll.
In the three coun tries embracing Soandln-
avis. Denmark. Norway. and Sweden. scarcely
q household but.wlat some man Der OF the fam
lily Is dsvotee to the wheel that cheers. The
city OF Copenhagen swarms with riders dur-
ing ali hours Of tie day. and the blooincr girl
Of Central .Parksand the boulevarhs nnds her
counter part ty.the thousands on the smooth
payemcnts OF Copenhagen. where the femi-
nino bltyclists speed along undeicrrcd.
A. is frequently the case abroad. the eco-
nomic side OF an apparent luxury Ia the cause
for is Introduction among the masses. Just
so with tho bicycle. u irst beyond the range
OF the majority, tho greet reduction In cost
during the last few years made II possible for
tho 10 with -.llmited. COURSES to take advantage
OF the wheel. Tho as yet undoveloped trans
p~ortation fscilitios.in Scandinavia gave an
added impetus. for out.idc- Copenhagen few
cities In Denmark possess street cars.
Az observer IL surprised to see tho general
use which tho bicycle has found among the
mechanics in that northern country. Il 10
made to serve a. available tool In furtheranos
Of various trades. aad masons. bricklayers,
house, oarpenters, and such can be soon speod-
ing along tho streets In their working clothes
and with tools slung across their backs. Even
chimney sweeps, . decided European institu-
tion. Gy along the throughfares like so many
black ~speotres Of tho night. II Cor nothing else
tho bicycle. Is blessed In Scandinavia because
it saves time.
No other country has done moro for the
pleasure and comfort-of its wheelmen Than
Denmark, and the municipal authorities are
struciion OF pavsmerts taxes In confederation
what host can serve the intercsts or bicy.
cities. in some Instances leading mile, away
from town into the country. The most scru-
pulons care r,,h Is TAX taken m, Of the PATH insgrin.
men have sprung into existence. and a broken
handy ~in.csse OF such need arising.
The Danish farmer has attained Information.
the chances are that no viii soon win fame a.
m. expert on the wheel. 10 Is remarkable. the
s soIs. ,. x,.h SaaS ~, ine b SsSne'n %Sen f H1u pTic.
made II possible TO be within their reach.
Here. too. the economies proved the lodestons
In the case. II 10 not uncommon for farmers,
With their wives and children. TO ride 10 mar
ket on, their bicycles with. baskets strapped on
from the handle bars OF the wheel. Like the
Italian women with their loads on their heads
they seldom como 70 grief and manage TO kesp
ASIDE from the well known fact that hioy-
cles have been introduced In the European
armies, their method OF training must be seen TO
he appreciated. In the Danish infantry. bicycle
corps have been made important features aud
the task OF walking the wheel Is full Of diff
hcultv. Any novice 10 aware or the strain de-
yoiving upon the rider who tries % ride slow.
Placed IN the rear Of n company OF soldiers
the army oicyclist In training Is compelled TO
hold back. and he presents a ludicrous sight
for he FIRST fes months Of his t,i6niations; D.,
Copenhagen an affair OF. International impor-
lance was the presence there OF many world
famous riders. French and American e1-
ports present said that nowhere had they seen
such unrestricted enthusiasm anent the Wheel
ing craze. Then. too. the entire royal family.
except the aged King and Queen. are passion
princes take daily spins in the numerous parks
with which the capital ioounds. Daring his
recent visit to Copenhagen. Emperor Nicholas
OF Russia spent a considerable portion, OF his
time on a splendid roadster. notwithstand-
ing the hat cool reception rendered him
by the .populace. His. father, the late Alexan-
der III. also amused hlmrelf in that fashion
when yisi ding the charming household OF his
fnther-in-law, King Christian IN.
The American bicvcle indS high favor IN
Denmark. its elerance. lightness; and general
superiority appealing TO the DISCRIMINATING
taste OF the Danes. Al the present time agents
representing the various famous American
makes are securing the country for orders
In tho establishments where bicycles are for
sale the flaming FOSTERS 60 familiar to Ameri-
cans can be seen telling in e!aring colors OF
the business enterprise possessed by the Yam
kee bicycle manufacturers.
Intending visitors TO the great international
bicycle convention. 10 be held At Paris during
the coming exhibition, should not fail TO visit
some portion OF Scandinavia. where Will DO
found everything conducive to the pleasure
and comfort OF those enraptured with the an
hilarating sport.