The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-14
CYCLISTS And POLICE
COMMITTEE OF ASSOCIATED
WHEELMEN ADDRESS A LET
TER TO MAYOR KIEFER
THROUGH CHAIRMAN MEYERS

Some Wheelmen Think They. Are
Being Prosecuted and Others
That They Are Allowed Too Much
Latitude - Sharp Criticism of Of
ficers for Paying No Attention to
Offenders Against BicycIists.
The committee of Associated Wheehnen
Of st. Paul, through Chairman J. q. Mey-
ers. yesterday sent to Mayor Kiefer a
letter protesting against the attitude Of
nance as means Of prosecuting cyclists,
The communication sets forth that the
police seem to be using the bicycle ordl-
nance as means of prosecuting cyclists
rather than a means of regulating bike
riding, and calls attention to the alleged
negligence of the department in looking
after offenses against riders as we'll as
those committed by them against the
ordinance. Following is Mr.. Meyers let
ter:
Naturally in our position as chairman
of the committee of Associated Wheel
men we hear complaints from various
sources against the police department
Some think that wheelmen are being per
secuted and others that they are allowed
too much latitude in their conduct and
that existing ordinances are not properly
enforced.
KNOWING that it has been your aim to
try and have all affairs that como under;
your jurisdiction administered for the
good of all and to the credit Of st. Paul.
and knowing that you appreciate that We
are living in progressive age and that
everything that leads to the good Of a
community should be protected and en-
Outraged, j have concluded as chairman
of the above named committee to express
to you the committees appreciation of
your stand in the past in reference to
bicycles and bicycling. In the matters of
the various complaints and comments we
think that the police department could
sact so that even under the existing ordi-
nance mo one would be unjustly treated
and the very few evils that still exist
would be eradfcated.
erThe ordinance in reference to carry
ing a bicycle lantern at night meets with
universal approval, and we think should
be thoroughly enforced, especially In the
residence portion Of the city, and on cycle
paths. There may be isolated cases where
accidentally a wheeInnan could not help
being without a.lantern. but they are few
and in such cases such wheelmen might
be allowed to keep in the street or high
way, but we certainly indorse rigid en-
forcement of this ordinance on sidewalks
and bicycle paths. 1t is a safeguard that
pedestrians and other cyclists are certain
ly entitled to. A bicyclist oman, woman
or child without lantern or whose Ian
tern is not lighted should not be allowed
to endanger others, and If such rider
takes the street, he or she then takes the
same chances as other vehicles that carry
no lights.
1--WE are pleased to state that we hear
very few complaints of 'scorching.' and
that the police have been using some
Judgment in the enforcement Of this ordi-
nance The only complaints seem to como
from localities of the city where the police
department has been negligent In enforce
ing the limit of seven miles per hour for
sidewalk riding. The offenders seem main
ly to be young men and girls who live
in the immediate neighborhood where the
complaints come from. If the police would
be strict in enforcing slow speed for
all who may be found on sidewalks In
the prescribed limits, there could be no
cause for complaint by any one, for at
the slow speed of six or seven miles per
hour, even If collision should occur,
no one could be injured. A pedestrian
walks at a speed of about four miles per
hour, and a speed Of six or seven would
only permit rider to pass him at slow
pace.
'In the large cities where bicycle ordi-
nances are most rigidly enforced. there
are few arrests made, because instead of
prosecuting riders. the police department
regulate In Chicago, with its great num-
Der of riders, there are fewer arrests made
than In St. Paul, yet, regulations are most
rigidly enforced. How is this accomplish
ed? By the officer warning apparent Of
tenders and stopping what might become
violations. In extreme cases, where will
full violation is apparent, arrests are
made An officer is there to prevent VIOLA
ton, not to lay in wait like a beast of
prey in hiding to catch some one, and
drag him to his lair. Let the mounted
police, both horsemen and those on
wheels, warn offenders, net lay in wait
until violation occurs. so that they may
pounce on their victim, who too often is
of any intent to violate the law.
Now, as to offenders against bicyclists.
In this line our police have been, we are
sorry to say, very negligent. No arrests
have so far been made Of any one for
injuring or obstructing cycle paths, yet
injury has been done. The
secretary of the bicycle path association
reports also that Instructions have been
placed on certain paths, tacks and glass
strewn maliclously, and yet the police In
such districts where this has been done
must be aware of this violation, malicious
and Intentional, of the city ordinance and
state laws: but they apparently made no
effort to ascertain who the offenders were,
and in a special case that came to our
knowledge the officer ignored the VIOLA
ton, though he admitted to have seen it,
and If he covered his beat he must have
seen 1t daily for over week.
"Our police department can always
count on a hearty cooperation by every
adult rider of the wheel who is citizen
and taxpayer. in the fair and just en-
forcement of law and order. The wheel
men of st. Paul are among It's best citl-
zens. taxpayers and voters, and they want
the same fair treatment and protection
that all aw-abiding citizens are entitled
to. I am pleased to say that until your
administration we have not had the fair
that we believe we should
have had, and we again assure you that
we appreciate the position you have
taken, and ask you to correct, SO far as
may lay In your power, the few remaining
evils still ayiStinpo