Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-15
THE BICYCLE sCORCHER.
The League Tnkes Ground Against
the SilIy Fast Rider.

the SlUy fast Rider.
From the Philadelphia Ledger.
Every day a number Of wheelmen are ar
rested and fined for reckless riding In this
city. but these constitute only small por-
ton Of the number who deserve. but es-
cape, arrest and fine. Many Of these Geii-
try. who pass under the appropriate name
OF scorchers. seem to regard themselves us
above the regulations forbiddtng unre-
str!cted speed In riding. and appear to re-
gard the interference Of the police and the
structures of the newspapers as rank per-
secution. 1t IL this class which brings
the whole army CT wheelLen into dsrepute,
and II In this class. not those who ride for
health. pure recreation or business, that Is
Responsible for collisions and for serious
and sometimes fatal casualties to others.
The moderate speed rider. the reputable
citizen, the person worthy to ride bicycle.
finds no fault with the reasonable rexula-
lions which govern street travel In this
city: but the person who II not fit to ride
a wheel much less own one, looks upon
any effort to restrict his riding at any gait
or manner he pleases as unwarranted In
science or persecution on the part Of the
authorities.
Some time ago an editorial appeared In
the l.. A. w. Bulletin the organ Of the
League Of American Wheelmen, which,
under the caption Of whats the Hurry
numerically scored the scorcher element
In scathing language, Of which the follow
ing Is a part:
Then why does he ride go swiftly? We
do not know. We presume he thinks he is
enjoying himself. He measures his pleas
ure by the number of feet he travels n sec
ond. He doesn't have time to lock at hills
or valleys. or sunsets or mocnrses. He is
watching his cyclometer. He is a part of
his machine, and muscle has usurped all
the higher attributes of mind. If he should
hire n livery horse and attempt to lash 1t
about the ne!ghborhood all day Mt n killing
race, the police, the public and the Humane
Society would soon gather him in US u
menace to peace and safety. a man I'M
fit to govern dumb brutes. Should he be
allowed to ride his bicycle at a killing pace
ter? Any one wishing to ride at a racing
pace should do so on an Enclosed track, or
else on a highway free from other travel
ard without grade crossings.
There are times and places where
scorching may be considered permissible
and appropriate. That place Is not In q
street frequented by others. The street
scorcher Is the worst type OF road hog. He
fancies he is In a great hurry to get some
where. and that the entire public, having
an abundance OF leisure, should wait and
give him the right Of way. He is the BIZ
cycles worst enemy. He disgusts people
with cycles and cycling in general.
The cycler who reasons that because he Is
armed with machine he Is more than q
Tatch for an unarmed pedestrian Is a high
way outlaw. He ought to be 'sQuelched'
very early In his career
The editorial concludes by admonishing
the scorcher and ell reckless riders that
pedestrians have rights to be respected 1t
Is time for the League Of American Wheel
Zen to follow the example Of its organ
and pay some attention to the scorcher.
1t Is great organization, and exercises
considerable power and If 1t should adopt
a rule for the expulsion Of any member
convicted OF scorching or violating a rea-
scnable city regulation or ordinance, and
enforce 1t, the moral effect would be good