Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-15

way never lose sight Of the culprit. Judg-
ing from the advantage claimed for raised
bars such an officer could follow ghost in
Raised bars are, positively uncomforta-
BILE and injurious to the health. 1t seems
that people are under the impression that
ones chest is contracted by the use OF
drop bars. while really the opposite is the
case. When rider sits erect on his wheel
and depends only upon the muscles of the
back to keep him upright, he must extend
his arms forward and downward to reach
the grips and the, result is that the chest
is contracted. shoulders thrown forward.
On the other hand, when rider leans for
ward on his hands, the weight of his body
throws his shoulders bxck and chest out,
which enables person to breathe freely
and give more life to the muscles of the
body.
Another reason why sitting erect is in
furious Is that the rider supports his en-
tire weight in the saddle, with the ex-
ception of the little which goes into the
pedals: 1t Is for this reason that riders
VINO SIT erect are always changing saddles
and complain that there is no such thing
as comfortable saddle. while. on the
other hand, riders who lean forward never
complain, They buy one saddle and it is
seldom that they complain; they all seem
to be comfortable and contented The
cause for this fact can be easily under
Stood One rider supports his entire weight
at one point. while the other distributes 1t
about equally between five points. any
one of which does not inconvenience him
to great extent. and he also can at will
throw his weight to any point which Is
most convenient at the time. A rider who
sits erect and depends only upon the mus
cles of the arms to control the wheel cam
not stand the shock rider can who throws
his weight into his arms.
Il have steered all kinds of multiple
machines and I know that it would be i'm
possible for me to steer such wheel even
iCrh CIV lob until rOn 6
bars. I would not for any amount under
take to steer sextet on a small track
with five strong men behind me. If I would
be compelled to use uDturned bars my
disadvantage in the raised bar is that
rider cannot turn his wheel short on ac-
count of the bar striking his knees. This
can be avoided by throwing the knee on
time one often has a fall which could
have been avoided by the use of drop
bars. Drop bars give a wheel a certain
grace, which cannot be obtained with the
raised bar.
I'm my opinion the best method to break
up reckless scorching is to arrest any one
who is caught in the act and give him
dose which he will not forget. Officers
can easily judge these matters. and think
that they would not be unjust. I do not
believe in making a speed limit. for some
riders are more dangerous when they ride
a thirty-mile an hour gait, than others
at Ten mics an nour. Ih1S matter should
be left entirely to the officers.
"Of all the fools and nuisances the rider
who rides around the street without
handle lars is the greatest. l think such d
fool should be made to pay heavy fine
l see no excuse for such an act.
LAS n dealer in bicycles 1t would be to
MY benefit to have the law enforced There
are thousands who would have to purchase
new bars, and l am sure l would receive
my share of the trade, but for the benefit
IA hnn il,-1 r-ic.I hot 10
missioners will see the mistake they have
made and remedy matters.
IF the law were just other cities would
long ago have PASSED such laws. Why
should Washington. with its miles of fine
streets and light traffic lead the procession?
We should be the last ones to be COM
PEELED to make such regulations, as streets
ir many small cities are much more crowd
ed than our streets and l am sure that
the public in this city is rot more blood
thirsty than in other ritinS''