New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-08
RJCyrIES tVD THE SPEEDWAY.

The nersls,ence Of Mr.. William F. Doll in rid
ing his bicycle on the Harlem Speedway may
lead IN n useful legal classification OF tho mod
ern Instrument Of propulsion but we fear that
Mr. Doll * In search Of license rather than en-
lchtonmcnt Ills opinion is that the bicycle Is
a vehicle and that, not being specifically ex-
cludcd by the rules Of the Park Board II Is adj
mlssibe 10 the Speedway. The learned Magis-
,rote sitting in the Harlem Court yesterday re-
fused TO accept this reasoning. and fined Doll 80
which ne NJ first refused 10 pay. declaring that
ne would carry The case to the highest court. Mr..
Doll is not a recognized representative OF many
whcclmcn. but We suppose there is no doubt
that II ne could have his way multitude Of hi
cycle riders would instantly follow his example
That would bc human nature. but 1t would also
be- dcplorahlc
There is no need to say that we think hlghly
of the bicycle as a means OF hcathful exercise
and pleasure but the tendency not 10 restrict
IFS use to suitable places Is strong and ought to
be resisted The new road along the Harlem was
expressly DIES gned fo- pleasure driving. and more
particularly for fast driving and 10 permit 1t To
be used in any manner which would seriously in
terfcrc with that purpose would be- an essential
perversion Of trust. The Speedway has not had
A
las, brought to n fairly satisfactory finish, It's
record from this time forward ought to be kept
straight. The original scheme. which the more
reputable owners of trotting horses did not APP
prove was for speedway along the western
edge of Central Park. and that mcnstro's piece
of vandalism would have been accomplished
under Tammany auspices II the Legislature, IN
rosponsc 10 impressive demonstrations OF pub
ha.y mot nf an.1 no no
Harlem plan was preached. and the community
In general greatly relieved because the Park
had been saved. and realizing that with the
growth OF the city pleasure driving had been
much restricted regarded 1t favorably. The
project was accordingly put In execution. but
again there was wholesome protest against the
Park Boards foolish resolve that there should
bc only one sidewalk and that the public should
DO excluded from the river side OF the drive.
The Board was obstinate. but had to yield. and
finally. after long delay and much larger ex-
pcndturc than was originally contemplated. the
undertaking has been completed and Is supposed
10 be a pretty good piece OF work.
Naturally enough n great many wheelmcn
would like 10 have access to 50 attractive n
road but we are compelled to say that II is
Imnortont 10 Illustrate their desire. If one
thousand there o-morrow and ten thousand the
first fine Sunday Through such n ruck the We
hicles which the drive has been created to ac-
commodatc could not possibly be drawn swiftly
and safely, and the express purpose OF the
Costly Improvement would 10 defeated. II would
have IFS uscs but they would not be the uses
for which II was intended. Nor Is there any
warrant for such n change Of occupation. BIZ
cycle riders have been treated with extraor-
binary consideration and libernllty. and have no
reason To complain because they are shut out
from the Speedway Not only have special IA
cilitics been put nj their disposal by Legislation
md otbcrwlsc but from the nature Of the ma
chine they employ the whole countryside is
oncn 10 them Already. II must be admitted,
,hcy are felt by many people to he nuisance
IN the city streets largely because OF the impu-
dent bIaclgllar,is among them. and owing to
their mutitudinous presence scores OF rural
roads and lanes are far less pleasant to walk In
ton they used to he. To such further liberties
os can he conferred upon them without undue
orporance 10 the rest Of the world including
tbe use Of the nqueduct. we hope they may
h.forc long attain. hut they will find 1t to their
ourn host interests tn resist the spirit or en-
enactment which seems to be spreading, and