Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-14
THE BICYCLE REGULATIONS
Amendment Suggested by Representatives
Of the District Clubs.
Commissioners N0n-COmmittal, but
tho Delegation Requested to Sub
NIT Proposition In Writing.

1t is more than probable that as result
of a hearing given by the District Com
mssioners today to representatives of sew
eral of the bicycle clubs Of the District an
amendment to the police regulations will
be made authorizing permits to be granted
to the commanding officers Of clubs which
will allow members Of the clubs to pass
through the city limits with handle bars
lower than four inches below the saddle
1t is true the Commissioners did not COM
NIT themselves, but they suggested that
the wheelmen make a written application
for such an amendment of the regulations
intimating, rather than declaring, that the
application will receive favorable consid-
Grafton.
AT today's hearing Lee L. Herrill, r. C.
Jones and E. L. Hutchinson represented
the Levant Wheelmen; Howard Fisk and
e. S. Byrpes the Century Cycle Club, P.
Won Boekman and r. Brooke Closkey the
Queer Wheelmen, and ]. F. Broadbent the
Arlington Club. Mr.. A. E. Manschoel was
also present.
Petition Presented.
They presented to the Commissioners the
following petition:
I'VE, the undersigned, representatives of
the several bicycle clubs Of the District of
Columbia, would respectfully suggest that
>AS ZIG use VI tic pOilCe reg mo
cycle shall be ridden on the streets within
the city limits with the lower end of the
handle bars on a plane lower than four
inches below the top Of the saddle at it's
center. be changed to read as follows: NO
cycle shall be ridden on the streets within
the city limits with the hands on the bar
at a point lower than four inches below the
top OF the saddle at its CENTER"
MI Won Boekman explained on behalf
OF the delegation that the regulation as 1t
now stands is a source of great annoyance
and Inconvenience to wheelmen, as well as
matter of no little expense, it being nee
essery, he stated, for each WheeIman to
provide himself with two sets of handle
bars the average price being about $5 The
high bars. he said. interfere with the knees
or riders. cause saddle soreness and pre-
vent perfect control over the machine He
admitted that there are many careless
riders In the District, bat believed the BIZ
cycle squad Of policemen could prevent
reckless riding without the enforcement of
the compiaiued-of regulation. He also con-
tended that an upright rider cannot put as
much power in his machine as one who
herds over his wheel, and said few riders
within the city limits place their hands on
the handles, even though having lower
handle bars than the regulation permits
explaining that the great majority of rid
ers in the city merely place their hands on
the bars.
1.-The trouble with you gentlemen" said
Commissioner Wight, sis that you would
change the regulation in favor of a few
rloers. we cannot make two sets of reg
uiations. one to meet the reckless riders
and the otter to meet riders like you, who
are careful To prevent reckless riding
and protect the general public we must
make one rule applicable to all riders'
Yet. remarked Commissioner Black.
we might make some provision by which
the commanding officers of clubs could be
given permits under which the members of
their clubs could use lower handle bars in
passing through the city limits on their
way for runs outside, and also to visiting
riders
General Discussion.
Mr.. Wight agreed with Commissioner
Black, but Commissioner Ross doubted
whether the Police Court would recognize
such permit. A general discussion fol-
lowed on that point. during which the sug-
gestion was made that the wheelmen make
written application, and that the men,
bers Of the delegation promised to do at the
earliest opportunity. 1t was understood
that the officers of the clubs receiving the
permits, If 1t is decided to give them shall
prevent any abuse of them by outside par
| ties, and also be responsible for any mis-
use of them.
1t was suggested by the wheelmen that
| owners of wheels be taxed and licensed
the fees resulting to be set apart for the
maintenance of a larger bicycle squad of
policemen. That, the Commissioners ex-
planned, could not be done except by spe-
cial authority of Congress, although they
realize that four bicycle policemen cannot
well regulate the conduct of the 10000
| riders here. Whether the suggested per-
| mts shall be for a specific date or shall be
only for day or two, as well as to whom
they shall be granted, will be determined
| la ter, should the Commissioners decide to
so amend the regulation.