The times., 1898-01-12

/ To the Editor of The Times:
[ see in this mornings issue of your
paper an expression of opinion by. Mr..
Fred Schade in opposition to the regu-
lations of the Commissioners affecting
cyclists in the District, particularly
with reference TO the regulation pro-
hibiting a drop of more than four
inches on the handle-bars of bicycles.
/ am rider of six years standing
Tor wheeling), and l have during that
time made certain observations myself.
l further believe that | am a rider for
pleasure and reasonably conservative
and sensible in my views on the sub
ject.
| know that Mr.. Schade does not ex-
press my ideas when he says he speaks
in behalf of the cyclists of the District,
nor that he expresses the views of a
great many others. when he advocates
the use of handlebarS lower than per
mitted by the regulation referred to.
| use handle bars the grips of which
are above the frame. l find them emil
nently satisfactory for pleasure riding
and quite comfortable. Mr.. Schade, as
everybody knows, is prominent as a
racer-not as pleasure rider-and ]
admit that for racing purposes low
handle bars may be thought necessary.
Jimmy Michael, / understand, does not
think them necessary, and sits COM
paratively erect on his wheel.
The great trouble is that large
number of the young men riders desire
to emulate the racers, and while they
cannot all become racing men, they
can. or they want TO, assume a racing
attitude on their wheels. and, with low
bars and monkey backs" they delight
in trying to see how fast they can go.
/ have met with no serious accident
since 1 have been a rider, and believe
that my own conservatism and pru-
dence have been the cause of my eX-
emption. There have been times when
/ have narrowly escaped accidents and
they have been when some rider, with
low handlebars. bending low over his
wheel, and going at an unnecessarily
rapid gait unnecessary as for pleas
ure), intent alone on his pace and OBJ
liyious to all else, has suddenly
'seorched" around a street corner and
is right in my path. My caution and
my prudence in the extremity. and not
his, has prevented serious accident
and now, at this time. my only fear
when riding is the meeting of some
such inconsiderate rider You can, /
feel sure. rely on the statement that the
man who uses the higher bar is not
apt to ride at dangerous and unlaw-
fui pace in the city's limits. and that
he derives as much and as keen enjoy
ment as the young man who thinks it
smart to hump himself.
l am equally in favor of lamps and
bells on bicycles, believing them to be
extra safeguards against accident
They cost little. and things that tend
toward general good are good things to
use. L see broad distinction between
the use of lamps and bells on wheels.
and on ordinary vehicles. because one
may know by the noise of an ordinary
vehicle its nearness and approach at all
times, whereas the bicycle. being a ST.
lent steed, is right on the passer-by be-
fore he knows it. unless warned bv the
sight Of the light or the sound of the
bell.
As member of the L. A. w. and a
wheelman who believes that he ex-
presses the views of very many others.
j commend the Commissioners reeula-
tions. F p McDERMOTT
Washington. Jan. 10.