The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-05-21
THE BIKE A NECESSITY.
Hence Cyclists Have Rights Some Impor-
tant Facts with Which Every Wheel
man Should Become Familiar.


That the wheel is no longer considered
a fad or luxury but is now looked upon
as necessity, is apparent from the inter-
est manifest by all classes. The wheel
has not only come to stay, but will in
crease in popularity from year to year
until it will largely outnumber the car
riages and other vehicles in use during
that portion of the year while good roads
exist.
The Michigan supreme court read the
signs of the times correctly when, in a
recent decision, it gave as their opinion
that the bicycle was as much a vehicle as
a carriage, and, as such, entitled to the
same road privileges as are accorded every
other vehicle. 1t is unnecessary to state
here that seventy.fve per cent of the peo'
pie who use the highways, especially
farmers, seem to be possessed of the idea
that cy clists have no rights. Every wheel
man who rides in the country knows the
above to be true from experience. How
often has he been crowded into the ditch
or been compelled to dismount and get
out of the track in order to avoid accident
or damage to his wheel. Cyclists are
largely to blame for this condition of
affairs themselves, since in wheeling, like
everything else in this world, you will
never be accorded your full rights until
you are willing to insist upon having
them.
The custom of giving one-half OF the
track to felow-traveler going in the OPP
posite direction is so we'll established that
the laws of our State hold a person liable
for any damage that may result from his
failure to observe this custom. To know
that this rule applies to bicycles as we'll
as to all other wheels in use, will be suf-
ficient warning to the average citizen, and
he will yield gracefully. But the natural
ly selfish man will take 10 heed of such
a warning, and will only learn that eye
lists have rights, protected by law, when
brought into court and compelled to pay
the damage resulting from his obstinacy.
The sooner such man is taught the les
son the better it will be for all concerned,
and the cyclist is the man to give the in
struction. Every wheelman should insist
on his halfof the highway, except in case
of meeting heavy load, when he should
give the right of way. The strict observ-
ance of this rule may occasionally lead to
a controversy, but you will have the
supreme satisfaction of knowing that you
are in the right, and purchance you will
gain point that will be appreciated by
other cyclists.
There is, however, a class of wheelmen
who are largely responsible for the antip-
athy so many people hold against the
bike. To this class belongs the idiot who
humps himself over his wheel and
"scorches" up and down the principal
streets in the evening when the cross
walks are thronged with pedestrians
whose lives are endangered by what the
rider imagines is very attractive exhi-
bition OF fast riding. Such arider should
be promptly arrested and given lesson
by way of fine.
Then there is the man who rides upon
the sidewalk at a breakneck speed, never
taking any precaution when approaching
a corner, where he is liable to collide with
others who may chance to be crossing at
that time, he too needs to be disciplined
by the police justice. When people are
kept lodging while on foot it
IS hardly to be expected that they will
have the kindliest of feeling for wheel
men when they meet them on country
road, and practically have them at their
mercy.
The Michigan Cyclist offers some ex-
,ellent rules for bicyclists, and if they are |
read and practiced much trouble |
md annoyance might be avoided. We
give them in full for the benefit of our
readers who ride bikes:
l. In meeting riders, pedestrians and |
vehicles, turn to the right. In overtak-
ng and passing them, keep to the left.
2. In turning corners to the left, always |
Keep to the outside of the street.
3. In turning corners to the right, keep |
Is far out as possible without trespassing
IN the left side of the road.
4. Never expect pedestrians to get out |
,fyour way; find way around them.
5. Never ride rapidly by an electric car
to unload passengers.
q. Never coast down hill having cross
streets along the way.
Z. Never ring your bell except to give
notice of your approach.
s. In meeting other riders ascending a
lill, where there is but one path, always
'ield the right of way to the up-riders
8. Bear in mind that rider meeting
IN electric car carrying strong head
light is unable to see beyond the light;
Keep out of his way.
10. When riding straight ahead, never
AIRY your course suddenly to the right or
eft, without first assuring yourself that
10 other rider is close on your rear on the
ide to which you turn.
II. Always ring your bell in overtaking
iders and pedestrians to give warning OF
our approach. This does not mean that
hey are to get out of your way.
IL. Do not ride too close to novice,
md in meeting novice give plenty of
DOM.
10. When riding after dark, always
AIRY lantern.
i i