The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-06-30
DEATH TRAPS.
The Condition Of the
Boulevard is Now
Murderous.
HOLES, STONES AND DARKNESS
This Combination Makes
Riding an Agony-Acci-
dents Numerous.


One of the greatest drawbacks to cy-
cling in the city is the miserable condi-
ton of the lights On the Boulevard. Ac-
cording to the Commissioners, two new
dynamos were but recently put in at
Snake Hill. In interviews with q repor-
ter Of "The News of the Commission
ers said that there would be no trouble
with that branch of the work under their
care, and that the lighting system Is far
better than ever before. Evidence prov
ing these statments has yet to be found.
The lights on the entire road are in
every respect as poor as those used when
the Board of Freeholders attempted to
look after the big roadway. Last night,
for instance, the lights went out every
five minutes and failed to beam for ten
n fifteen econds. This sort of thing
continued from the time the current was
turned on until after midnight and per-
haps ever later.
This is not the worst to be said of the
lighting apparatus. From Montgomery
street to the termination of the road at
Bergen Point, a reporter of ''The News
the world. Beneath these lights the
QdIkI3SS WIS QeuSc. ~ ID
that accidents are not reported more fire.
q~uently. The police and the public real
ly do not become aware of one-half the
casualties. The victims are either averse
to notoriety or a policeman cannot be
found to report to.
This was demonstrated last evening
about nine O'Clock at Virginia avenue and
the Boulevard. Here the road is in a
murderous state. Two accidents have
occurred in this locality mainly because
of the roads atrocious condition, and a
third was added to the list last night.
A young lady was thrown from her
bicycle midway between Boyd and Vir-
ginia avenues, on the steep hill. She was
fortunate enough to escape with but a
Few scratches, but how fatal injury was
avoided 1t is impossible TO tell. She re-
fused assistance and she would not give
her name. She mounted her wheel again.
after tying up her mi with her hand
kerchief, and rode off. The holes on This
hill were the cause of this accident.
1t is wholly impossible for a rider to
observe the rules of the road and ride on
the proper side. This contractors who are
attempting to repair the deplorable con-
dition of the roadway have gone about
the work in a laundering name Traffic
on both sides has been shut off while re-
pairs are being made. The centre of the
roadway, originally intended for horses
and carriages, is the only strip left for
-passageway. On this piece of road, which
is about twelve feet wide, cyclists and
horses and carriages, going in both direc-
lions, are forced to feel their a There
are at least ten holes on this hill, and
every one IS not less than four inches
deep n two feet wide. The sensation
produced when a rider unfortunately goes
into these death traps can be better
imagined than described.
Riders are unanimous in declaring the
work Of repairing is not being carried on
in a proper manner. 1t is hard work for
riders and drivers to avoid accidents
sometimes because of the roadway and
the lack Of light. This combination is a
hard one to beat.
At Lexington avenue there is a puddle
of water ten feet wide through which
riders have to pass in order to continue
on their course. The absence of light does
not help to remedy the evil. All through
the Greenyille and Bayonne sections of
the road huge piles of stones have been
carelessly dumped, and in nine cases out
of ten no lights have been placed on them
to serve as a warning. The employees evil
IDENTIFY trust to the unreliable are lights
to give the requisite warning of the MUIR
derous distractions.
There are two spots on the oad which
should receive the immediate attention of
the Commissioners. One is just beyond
the Lehigh Valley Railroad bridge, about
a block west of the canal, and the other
the hill on the south side of the railroad
bridge near Bergen Point. The former is
also a hill, on which stones varying in size
from a paving block to an egg are scat
tered in great profusion. Added to this
are numerous holes and pitfalls, besides
insufficient light. But one side of the
road is passable at present.
The hill near Bergen Point is in even
a worse state. The lights failed to shine
last night and the ~steepness of the hill,
together with the stones and holes, made
timid riders dismount and Vi back.
There is no doubt of the unpOpularity