The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-08-09
How The Gar CurbS
Reckless MheelmeD
From the Troy Times.

ne american DlCyCleF mas HO IetSoh
to find fault with such regulations as
have been adopted in most cities, but
when so many have taken to the wheel
it is no wonder that fault finders are
numbered by the score. If they would
take the trouble to investigate the regula-
tions attached to bicycle riding in for
eign countries they would be compelled
to admit that they are especially favored.
Take Russia for instance. OF course that
country being under the rule of an auto
crat, Russian ideas do not appeal to
Americans, but it does not follow that
those ideas are necessarily bad. On the
contrary, the bicycle regulations in force
in st. Petersburg seem to be so good
as to be deserving of consideration in
this country Bicycling is fast coming to
the fore in the Russian capital in spite
of the natural conditions, which are un-
favorable TO the sport during a greater
part of the year. Consul General Karel
in one of his reports to the state depart
ment sums up the Russian regulations as
follows:
Bicycle riding in the streets of the
city is allowed only on low, two wheeled
bicycles or on bicycles of other types
which are considered by the city ad-
ministration not dangerous. Only those
persons of proper age, who have received
a permit from the st. Petersburg city
administration, can ride. The permit
must bear the name of the proprietor and
is given only to persons who know how
to ride a bicycle. BY the city governors
special order the person who receives a
permit to ride bicycle must give
photograph of himself, which is attached
to the permit. Every person who has re-
ceived a permit to ride a bicycle in the
city is supplied by the administration
with number. He must have on his BIZ
cycle bell and after dark lighted Ian
tern. The kind of tag, the time and way
in which 1t must be attached to the BIZ
cycle are established by the city admin
istration and confirmed by the city gov
ernor. Each person riding a bicycle must
carry with him the permit. with the
present regulations printed in it, Fast
riding or racing in the city is not al
lowed. Riders must always keep to the
right, as near to the sidewalk as pos
sible Riders must pass foot passengers
and equipages on the left hand side, if
possible. In overtaking a foot passenger
| or an equipage the bicycle rider must I'm
due time ring the bell and he must pass
slowly. To ring without need is prohibit
ed. No other signals except bells are
allowed. In case horses should take
fright at bicycle the rider must stop
and alight.
IN turning q corner or In crossing a
| street the bicycle must be ridden very
slowly and the bell rung In localities
where there is much public traffic and
many equippages riders must alight and
lead their wheels. When several bicycle
riders are together they must ride one
atter the other at a distance not less
| than fourteen feet between each bicycle
1t is prohibited to ride or lead a bicycle
on sidewalks, roads for pedestrians, boul-
| eVards, squares and parks. Riding a bi
cycle In the city in a racing costume such
as would attract special attention, is pro-
| hibited. The riding of bicycles can be
| stopped on some streets by order of the
police, in the following cases: During the
| time when their imperial maJesties are
| expected to pass, during religious nro-
| cessions and in places where there is a
| large gathering OF people and equipages.
| The riding of bicycles is not allowed in
certain parts OF the Nevski Prospect nor
| in the Summer park The city governor
| has the right to prohibit the riding of
| bicycles In some of the streets of the city.
| "A person violating these regulations NAV
be deprived by the police of his permit.
| ne may also be brought by the police be-
foro the court"
1t would be interesting to note how tho
men VINO srumble at the mild American
| regulations would like the idea OF com
| plying with the St. Petersburg rules.
Doubtless they would assert that more
| liberty should be allowed in this free
country than in czar-ridden Russia, That
may be true enough but liberty should
| never be allowed to take the form of IL
| cense, nor should innumerable autocrats
astride of bicycles and "scorchine' along
the streets. to the imminent danger Of
innocent passersby, he substituted FOR the
one autocrat WHO lives in the winter nal
ace and rules with an iron hand This "a
indeed free country, and freedom
should be for all and not for any particu-
lar class either riders or non-riders.