The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-07
THE BICYCLE AND THE LEAGUE.


THE BICYCLE AND THE LEAGUE.
The bicycle long since ceased to be a nov
city. In every civilized land, civilization in
this case having close relation to good roads,
it is a vehicle in such common use as to at
tract but casual attention. 1t is accepted
one of the useful inventions of which the
last half of the nineteenth century has so
many, and the public avails itself of its
services and rejoiceS in it as a modern con-
venience. For it is as a convenience rather
than as a mere means of entertainment and
pleasure that it is now regarded by the ma
jority of riders. The enjoyment of riding is
incidentally acknowledged by every one who
has once mastered the art, but it is the
practical uses of the wheel that have given
it its chief Importance and made it
so indispensable feature of daily life. The
man in town. whose first purpose in buying
a wheel is the laudable one of securing
needed physical exercise and exploring coun-
try roads. speedily finds himself riding upon
it to and from his place of business and
using it in attending to errands about the
streets where he would formerly have de-
pended upon the trolley cars. If he lives in
the country he finds il less trouble to ride to
the postoffice or to his neighbours mile or
more away on his bicycle than to saddle or
harness horse. The boy and girl whose
bicycles have been purchased for them
purely source of enjoyment are found
riding to school or performing household
errands that would once not have been as
signed to them because of distance to be
covered. 1t was inevitable that a machine
so easily propelled and that simply annihi-
would become valuable because of it's utility
in business life as well as for it's advan-
tage to pleasure-seekers. 1t has already
done much to bring country and city to-
gether; it has abetted the trolley car in
making suburban life possible to people of
small means; it has lightened labor in many
directions; it has broadened and frightened
life for multitude of people, and has, in
short. become factor in modern life whose
value can hardly be estimated.
But Notwithstanding it's general use, per-
haps because of it, comparatively few riders
consider the Importance of the bicycle ex-
cept as it concerns their own immediate in
terests, and because of this narrow view,
do not realize the Importance and the pur-
poses of the National Wheelmens League
which is to hold it's annual meet" here this
week. Comparatively few owners of horses
care for horse-racing, and yet it is the
breeders and owners of racing animals who
have caused the improvement of all classes
of horses from the trotter to the dray horse.
In similar way the league works for the
benefit of all bicycle riders. The races which
are a feature of its meetings lead to the
general improvement of wheels, but racing
is only an incidental feature, and not the
chief purpose of the leagues existence This
main object is the Improvement of roads
everywhere. Already much has been accom-
piishod through the efforts of the organiza-
ton, but much remains to be done, and it is
because the influence of members is needed
that an increase in membership is sought.
The betterment of streets and roads is a
matter that concerns all citizens of town or
country whether they are wheel riders or
not, and whatever is done in this line is
fer the benefit of all. If the league had no
other purpose this alone would justify its
being, but it offers advantages to its men,
bers that any one of them is likely to find
useful-for example, aid in prosecution for
damages when injuries are sustained, and
looking out for their legal rights and priv
ileges generally. The local branch of the
organization has had its influence in the i'm
provement of streets and roads in and about
Indianapolis, and these streets and the
paths which it is alone responsible for may
well serve as an object lesson to the Wis
itors of the coming week. indianapolis is
the home Of the bicycle and no city in the
country could offer more sympathetic well
come than it extends to these cycling guests.
The local club has worked hard in order TO
be ready for their reception, and deserves
great credit for its efforts. Indications are
that the gathering will be successful in all
reSDecfs