The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-06
WOULDN'T. Do AT ALL.
Experienced Wheelmen and Citizens
Generally Opposed to Wheels
on Sidewalks

Chief Steele has recommended to the
city council that the ordinance prohibit
ing wheelmen from riding on the side
walks be repealed. Chief Steele made
quite long talk to the council at the
meeting Monday night.
Since bicycle riding has become so
popular all the cities of the country
have passed ordinances prohibiting
wheels to be ridden on the sidewalks.
The general feeling among citizens is
that there should be no innovation in
this regard.
sidewalks said w. NJ. Thompson of
Thompson Bros. 1T is not right My
brother is a wheelman but he is against
it. I can not see why bicycles should
be allowed on the sidewalks. 1t would
be dangerous to everyone and children
especially
Joab Mulvane said: ST am wheel
man and live in the west part of town,
but should not urge the passing of an
ordinance allowing bicyclists on the
sidewalks. 1t would at least be dam
gerous to Children
Frank Foster said: ct am a wheel
man but 1 think such an ordinance
would be allowing a right to wheelmen
that would be dangerous both to wheel
men and pedestrians
D. J. Greenwald said: ct think that
the riding of bicycles on the sidewalk
is dangerous and should not be allow
ed. The council will regret it if they
pass such an ordnance"
Capt. J. G. Waters said: cit would be
dangerous to allow bicycle riders to use
the sidewalk. was run into by bug
gy once and don't want to be run into
by bicycles
A. w. Dana said: at think it would
be dangerous to allow bicyclists to use
the sidewalk. If they were allowed to
use the sidewalks what would prevent
them from riding on the sidewalks of
Kansas avenue and that would be alb
surd. 1t would be especially danger
Gus at night where the streets are poor
ly lighted"
George Stansfield said: st am a BIZ
cycle rider myself but l am opposed to
allowing wheelmen to use the side
would surely injure people.
P. 1. Bonebrake said: 1T might be
allowed but it would be dangerous ito
have bicyclistS banging around"
E. B. Guild said: 'BicyclistS should
keep in the streets. 1t would be ex-
tremely dangerous to old people, chill
dren, blind and lame persons to have
bicycles whiZzing by on the sidewalks.
1t would at least startle and frighten
old people and accidents would be sure
to happen"
F. P. Lindsay said: st have just as
much right to drive my horse and bug
gy the sidewalks as bicyclists have
to ride there. A bicycle has no more
right on the sidewalks than has slop
cart. 1t would certainly be dangerous
to pedestrians"
G. NJ. Chase said: cit would not be
a good plan to allow the sidewalks to
be used by wheelmen and am opposed
to it, 1t would be dangerous to all and
especially to children"
L. S. Woolverton said: CT am oppos-
ed to having bicyclists use the side
walks. 1t would be dangerous to all
pedestrians. I am not allowed to drive
my buggy on the sidewalk and neither
should bicyclists be allowed there
DIR. H. w. Roby said: "a man can
not control his bicycle like he can his
legs. A bicycle is bound to take it's own
way more or less and one can not be
stopped instantly. 1t can not be con-
trolled like a wheelbarrow. 1t would
be dangerous to pedestrians. The We
hicles have the first right to the road
and pedestrians have the first right to
the sidewalk. A bicycle is a vehicle
and the rights of the sidewalk and the
road can not be diXided.,'