The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-01-12

as we'll as a Dell. Inc common OCuHCA
of Los Angeles has a similar PROPOSE
ton before it. The Los Angeles
! Times Of Sunday makes the subject
the text for full editorial treatment,
and shows that to pass the ordinance
means to mulct bicycle riders in that
city to the tune of from S40,0 900 to $780,
900 for purchase of lamps.
! 1t is pointed out that lamps are no
lutte danger to pedestrians and TO
riders, since they are low down, are
not discernable so as to warn the pc
destrian in time and that they abso-
lutely confuse and cause accidents.
Lanterns are not required upon grocers'
and butchers carts, express wagons, or
any other vehicles except hacks. Yet
there is even more reason for their use
on the first-nanaed classes than on
hacks, except for the disclosure of the
number Of the latter
The Mayors intention is praiseworthy.
/ 1t is wholly commendable, but if he
examines into the matter thoroughly,
and consults experience gained in other
cities, he will find that the bicycle
lamp more than the bell is a nuisance
on the bicycle. The thing to do is TO
| enact a proper fast driving and riding
| ordinance, and enforce it.
The bicycle ordinance is farcical as
it stands, because it puts no limit on
speed in the streets. 1t reads "a moder-
ate speed What is moderate speed?
Is it one. two, three or ten miles an
hour? That depends. But when it
comes to wagons, hacks and the like,
the ordinance fixes a speed SO ridicu-
lousy low that a horse barely jogging
between shafts is carrying the vehicle
ably the Mayors own horses are daily
driven at an illegal speed, and of ne
cessity. Two Trustees, a year ago,
were taken upon the balcony of the
Mayors Office and asked to time pass
ing vehicles, and it was found that
! every one Of them then on J street was
moving in violation of the law.
The Los Angeles Times suggests
what is the proper remedy, that indi-
Gated; namely, fix a speed for bicycles
at crossings and between crossings, and
likewise for all other vehicles, and rig
idly enforce the law. That can be
done; it is done in many city, and the
result is uniformly gratifying. As it is
in Sacramento it is notorious that We
hicles drawn by horses are moved with
dangerous rapidity through the streets
| They are dashed around corners as fast
as horses can trot or run, they whir
through the streets at a dangerous
| speed. and many an accident results
Let the speed be fixed and enforce the
law, and all avoidable evil in the prem
ises will cease.
The bicyclist should be exempted in
no respect. Probably he does not ask
any If he does he should be rebuked.
He should be required to ride on the
right hand side of the street; to do as
New York requires, turn no corner
sharply or swiftly, or so as to bring
him upon the left hand side. There, he
and all manner of riders and drivers
must cross clear over the intersection
before turning into a street at right
angles to his direction, TO reach the
right hand side. All diagonal crossing
is rigidly prohibited. This in itself
forces slowness of gait. Forbid the
passing overcrossings at a greater speed
than say a walking gait, say three miles
an hour, and prohibit greater speed on
any part of the street than eight miles
an hour.
If we believed that the lamp on the
wheel would be effective of any good,
we most assurely would approve it.
| but the experience of bicyclists and
others impresses US with the belief that
it is not the protection claimed for it.
It's glare confuses the rider very often.
The pedestrian is unable to calculate
the distance of an oncoming light; he is
not apt to see the light of these small
lamps, for the large ones are out Of the
question. Especially is it found to be
true that where two or more wheels are
passing the shifting, low-lying lights
confuse both the pedestrian and rider,
and invite to accidents.
Most assuredly every wise precaution
ought to be taken to prevent accidents
by reason Of collisions between pedes-
TRANS and vehicles Of any kind We
believe one Of the very best provisions
is a rigid speed schedule and unmercf-
matter the Mayor and Trustees should
before taking any steps, inquire thor
oughly into the matter and consult the
! experience of other authorities. and of
riders, drivers and pedestrians much
on the streets. before imposing the
heavy tax involved IN Quitting with
proper lamps, upon the 1000 wheelmen
| Of this city. AS the Los Angeles
Times" well says it is not be-belled
and be-lanterned wheel ordinances we
need so much as decent speed ordi-
nanees and their enforcement Let this
dashing over crossings. this shooting
around corners, this mad speeding,
scorching and reckless riding through
the streets be forbidden, and the law
enforced, even If the police have to be
equipped with lariats to do it.
We can understand why private GEM
etery associations in San Francisco
should decline to sell ground for the