Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-04
OPPOSED TO DISCRIMINATION.
Cyclists Want Drivers to BE Treated
AS Riders Are

as Riders Are.
THE agitation of the advisability of all
wheeled vehicles carrying lighted lamps
at night suitably placed to give warning
of their approach, seems to be bearing
fruit, little isolated punches, it is true, but
still fruit" remarked a wheelman to a
Star reporter. During a ride to Bright
wood one night last week 1 met three
horse-propelled vehicles with lighted lamps,
one on each side. 1t is to be hoped that
all drivers will see the necessity of lights
on vehicles, as 1t may save a great deal
of i'll feeling as well as prevent accidents
IL mas been urged that approaching teams
could be heard by wheelmen at night in
Tune to avoid them, but that Is a fallacy
Riding wheel at a moderate speed causes
rush of air past the ears of the rider and
prevents him hearing the beat of horses
feet until he is in very close proximity
This is especially true on suburban roads
where the roadway is i'm total darkness
and especially during the summer when the
young man with carriage, horse and girl
drives with one hand and at a walk and
In the shadow of the trees usually on the
wrong side of the road.
1t has been urged that great many
owners OF vehicles cannot afford to buy
lamps. Possibly not, a great many drivers
cannot afford.to drive horses, but they do
and the small additional expense would
work no hardship. great many people
buy wheels who cannot afford II tmuch to
the dealers DISCONTINUED, but they are
compelled to have lighted lamps on their
wheels at night Why this discriminate
Is this not class legislation? A good lamp
with attachment to fit on any dashboard
can be bought for 81. The owner of
wagon would not be compelled to make a
very large outlay.
Now, why can't the wheeImen and
drivers cooperate? Let both classes carry
lights. keep strictly to the spirit of the
RUE OIL the road, pass an approaching We
hicie TO the right, pass We
hicle going in same directions on the left
whenever possible. Now, to my fellow
wheelmen l would say. do not when rid
Ing in party, split when meeting or
passing a team. If the driver is kindly
disposed and pulls over to the right TO
make room he endangers the safety of those
who are attempting to pass on wrong side
Keep to the right. even If it occasions
diSmount occasionally. And If you have a
collision while on the proper side YOU
will have legal redress.
Most OF the drivers here In Washington
seem to be ambidextrous, and consequently
take the advice Of the old negro song ana
Keep in de Middle OBJ de Road In the
race OF TIE instructions q short while ago
to the police by the Commissioners there
are hagrant violations of the rule OF the
road at all our prominent corners, at all
hours of the day. and many a rider of
a bicycle is 'pocketed' between the team
and the curb to their modification and
sometimes injury. The driver appreciates
the fact that his Is the stronger vehicle
and that from motives of self preservation
the bicycle rider will submit to the crowd
ing and keeps on in his chosen direction.
Both bicyclists and drivers are looked upon
by the law as having equal rights on the
streets, and as soon as this fact Is recog-
nized harmony and good will prevail and
the road hog will be no more"