Omaha daily bee., 1899-07-02

Boston is considerably larger and older
than Omaha, with a spider-web layout OF
streets bewildering even to native, yet
Boston has not yet reached the bicycle lamp
stage of progress and profanity. The ques-
tion of light or no light is being discussed
quite warmly, however, the wheelmen in
opposition to light, the lamp dealers in
favor. Bicycle riders fear they viii be
obliged to carry a headlight at night, and
are vigorously discouraging the use OF
lamps by riders who regard them as
necessity One method used by expert wheel
men when they encounter man with
lamp on the fork OF his front wheel is to
crowd him into a properly tight place and
then ride so close as to break the lamp off
without having a collision or doing other
damage
The Boston Transcript throws an edi-
torial searchlight on the subject, viewing 1t
from all sides, and succeeds in reaching the
conclusion that 1t is mighty difficult prob
lem to solve rightly. "There are two sides
to this bicycle light question" says the
Transcript, "but it is very difficult for per-
sons who ride to recognize the view of those
who don't. To be excluded wholly are par
ties interested in the manufacture and sale
of lanterns, and riders who simply do not
want to be bothered with lantern OF who
want to escape the expense The matter OF
personal safety is the only consideration
that deserves attention and the safety OF
the bicyclist deserves to be regarded quite
as much as the safety OF the pedestrian;
for in cases of collision the man on the
wheel is as likely to receive as much in
Jury as the man on foot and in most cases
gets the worst of 1t.
Notwithstanding the carrying of lights
As universal on the other side OF the water
and is required in most Of the large cities
in the United States, the bicyclists persist
dn their contention that the light makes 1t
harder for the rider to keep from cunning
into pedestrians and more difficult for the
Pedestrian to prevent himself from being
run into 1t is harder for the rider, 1t is
claimed because the little circle of light in
which he is enclosed makes all outside OF It
darker by contrast than 1t otherwise would
be. SO that 1t is difficult II not impossible.
for him to penetrate the gloom. On the other
hand, Il is said, the danger to the pedestrian
Is increased because the light on the wheel
divides the responsibility and confuses both
the wheelman and the walker. The light
being carried for the walkers warning, the
wheeCman will naturally feel that he is
doing his part in carrying headlight, and
that IL is for the pedestrian to get of the
track.
The bicyclists do not rest their case
upon theory alone. They assert that 1t has
been absolutely demonstrated that accidents
are more numerous where lanterns are used
than where they are not. Whether this be
true or not, 1t is the nearly universal opn-
ion of persons who ride the wheel that the
carrying of lights is no protection TO any
body, while for the bicyclisr 1t is a great
inconyenience-if not positive nuisance"
Sterling Elliott OF Boston gives positive
assurance that the August meet OF the
League OF American Wheelmen at the Hui
will be a hummer on wheels. Arrange
ments will be made for the comfort and en-
tertainment Of guests, which will favorably
compare with what has heretofore been done
in that line. The races will be the races OF
the year, and will be held on the famous