The times., 1898-02-15
GAIN A SLIGHT VICTORY
The Commissioners Grant the Wheel
Clubs Il Concession.
Special Permits 10 Use Low Handle.
Iation CtEei wise Unchanged.

The low handlebar bicycle controversy
between the Commissioners and the
riders is probably at an end. The Com
missioners and the captains of the var
ious clubs had a long discussion yester-
day, and the cyclists departed i'm fair
spirits. with one of their requests grant
ed under an implied agreement that
they would give up their attack upon
the regulation.
The Commissioners agreed, in brief, to
allow low haRdlebars on club runs,
special permit TO be issued to each club
for this purpose. As the club member
ship is not over thousand, and there
are something like $4,000 riders in the
city, the prohibition is still practically
unanimous.
The general riders are already begin
ming to express themselves very strongly
on the subject. and there is likely to be
much comment.
The committee consisted of Edward
Byrnes, captain Of the Century Club;
Howard Fiske, secretary Of the Century;
z. Won Boeckmann. of the Queers: r. 3.
Clokey, of the Qucers; E. c. Hutching-
son. captain of the Levants; Lee l. Her
rell. secretary of the Levants, and J. f.
! Brcadbent, secretary OF the Arlingtons.
A petition was presented by the dele
cation that the regula ton be amended
to allow low bars if riders maintain
safe position and put their hands on
the bars no<inore than four inches be
low the level Of the saddle
Mr.. Won Boeckmann, one of the most
experienced riders in the city, said that
last month large number of persons
used to riding with low bars had met
with accidents on account of the change.
The knees come in contact with the bars,
there is not the same control over the
wheel and the seat in the saddle is not
so comfortable. he believed that if the
amended regulation was passed the po-
lice could enforce il against offenders
and make it as efficient a preventive of
reckless riding as the other. Most riders.
ne said, who use low bars put their hands
up near the post of the machine, instead
of on the handles, in their Ieisurely rid
ing about the city. When they are on
runs outside of the city they use the
handles.
The Commissioners told the committee
that this amended regulation would be
sufficient for such riders and all ordi-
nary riders who are careful always but
that it would not do for the reckless
riders that the first regulation was
meant to catch. 1t would be impossible
to convict under it.
Mr.. Won Boekmann then suggested
that clubs be given special permits to
use low bars on club runs. This
would cause the expense of two bars
to riders but it would allow the right
kind of bars on long rides, when they
would be most needed and when they
are most wanted.
Mr.. Byrnes, captain of the Century
Club, seconded this idea with the sug-
gostion that the captains of the clubs
be made responsible for the good be-
havior of their men in pain of having
the permit revoked.
The Commissioners told the commit
tee that this would be allowed Capt.
Black said that it is a reasonable re-
quest and that the special permits
would not hurt the regulation.
The committee was still anxious to
have the whole regulation revoked or
materially amended, but was much
gratified at it's limited victory, and will
draw uD the form of permit desired