The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-07-15
EUROPE'S CYCLING RULES.
Annoying Restrictions Placed on
Tourists from Foreign Countries.


Americans who propose to take BIZ
cycle 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 foreign cyclers. To
be taken unawares or to be caught
| mapping, especially in foreign coun-
| try, is very unpleasant, and therefore
| travellers who are wise will carefully
study the following rules before they
cross the Atlantic. The duty on cycles
| brought into France is $48.25 on every
| 222 pounds-about IS cents per pound,
dead weight. This duty must be paid on
| cycles imported for sale, and the same
amount may be required as deposit
from any American who lands in France
with a cycle, even though his sole inten-
ton is to tour the country on his wheel.
1t seems, however, that this deposit is
only required in exceptional cases and
when the authorities have reason to sus-
| pect that foreign cyclists are not bona
| fide tourists. When the deposit is made
a lead seal is attached 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
two dollars on each cycle, but this is
only collected from residents and not
from tourists. The revenue from this
tax, which in 1896 amounted to 1,0O0,-
OOOf, is spent on improving the public
| highways. Anyone touring through
France will have to observe the follow
! ing ministerial decree:
| Each wheel must be provided with a
gong or bell capable of being heard at a
| distance of 50 yards A plate, bearing the
name and address of the owner, must be at
| tached to cycle. Lanterns must be lighted
at shutdown.
| "Cyclist must take the right on meeting
a vehicle and. when passing one, must take
! the left, decreasing speed and sounding
/ the bell.
I'm crowded thoroughfares the cyclist
must dismount and lead his wheel
Cyclists are forbidden to form groups.
so as to obstruct the public ways, or to
pass through funeral corteges or military
/ professions.
Cyclists are forbidden to cycle on pave-
ments and footpaths reserved for pedes-
| trians, except in the country where the
roads are paved or being mended. In cases
I where it 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 cycIist is travelling first,
second or third class.
In Germany the duty on cycles is
about three cents per pound. Tourists,
! however, are entirely unrestricted, and
need not pay any deposit.
In Austria there is duty of S12.O6 on
every cycle imported for sale Each
tourist, too, must deposit ten dollars at
! the custom house and make an affidavit
+ that his wheel is not for sale, and that
| be does not intend to become a resident
pf the country. When his tour is over
be gets back the deposit. 80
In Belgium the duty is IL per cent.
I'd valOrem, and tourists are required to
deposit a sum equivalent to that
AMOUNT, which is refunded when they
| cave the country.
In Denmark the duty is ten per cent,
I'd valorem, and tourists must make a
deposit equal to that amount as a guar
antee that their wheels are not for sale.
! This deposit is refunded only at the
custom house where the entry was
made, unless a special permit is granted
allowing the cyclist to obtain the de.
post through another customs bureau.
In Egypt the duty is eight per cent.
ad valorem, and the same formality is
observed as in Denmark. Cyclists
should be sure to get a receipt for the
money deposited, of which only seven
per cent. will be refunded.
There is no duty in England.
In Greece the duty is two dollars on
each cycle. and tourists are required to
pay a deposit of two dollars and an
octrol duty of 40 cents. The latter is
refunded, but of the two dollars, one
dollar is retained for expense" and
even more may be retained if the cyc!ist
does not leave the country by the same
custom house.
In Italy the duty is SSH, and tourists
are required to deposit this amount,
which is refunded when they leave the
country. No deposit, however, need be
made by members of the Touring Club
de France.
The duty in Spain is $13.52 per 222
pounds-about six cents per pound. A
temporary pass of six months duration
is given to each tourist, and for this
20 cents is charged. a deposit equiva-
lent to the amount of duty must also
be made, and this will be duly refunded.
| There are many tedious formalities in
connection with the Importation OF cy-
cles into Spain, and tourists who do not
care to waste time will do well to OBJ
| tain the services of a commissionaire
| on the frontier. or of an international
custom house broker at either of the
frontier towns, Hendaye or Cerbere.
Much trouble will be saved in this way
moreover, if a mistake is made in the
declaration the amount of duty will be
| forfeited and fine imposed.-St. Louis
| Globe Democrat.
| stuffed Beet Salad.
Boil red Bermuda beets of medium
size until well cooked and remove the
skin while warm. Cut off the end of
| Il. 4 -