The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1900-05-24
BICYCLE PATHS
How Construction Is Increasing Through
Routes Should Have the Preference.

period eof extraordinary development
throughout the greater part of the
United States; and the rapidity with
which this quiet movement has coined
itself into visible results is an encourag.
ing sign Of the times, says Robert Bruce,
in Outing.
The movement owed its origin and its
early growth to individual effort, but il
has outgrown that period. and the year
1900 will most likely mark the entire
disappearance Of the independence, and
oftimes isolation, Of restricted organiza.
tions, each working territory without
regard to, or uniformity in aim with, its
neighbor.
As an example Of harmonious action
and its results l may mention the Lake
Shore route, in the extreme western end
of New York, and for about one hundred
miles in northern Ohio, for IL affords the
best example Of work carried out for the
convenience Of through tourists. No
such conflicting systems as those found
farther east are in that stretch of coun-
try. In fact, natural topography is more
responsible than conscious effort for the
fine riding to be had there. But never
theless, the path.makers of that section
gave fret place to through routes, a
policy which ought everywhere to pre-
vail.
The sidepath convention held at Roch.
chester, n. Y, last year was the first OF
its kind in the world; and a practical
effort was then made, in the interests of
long-distance path-building, TO unity
the plans Of the many leagues repre-
sented, and the New York State Division
L. A. w. has accepted the task of laying
out wheel-way from Manhattan to
Buffalo. The route chosen has more re-
gard to varied and picturesque scenery
than to easy travel. 1t is proposed to
extend up the Hudson to point oppo-
site Kingston, or Rondout, cross the
river tby ferry), thence through the
Catskills to the Susquehanna Valley, to
Binghamton, Elmira, Corning, Dams.
vile, ETC., to Lake Erie. Meanwhile
some OF the breaks in the Central Hud-
son route will be made up, adding to the
speed and comfort of cycling that way.
Illinois, Winconsin and Minnesota an
nounce in cooperation the launching OF
project for bicycle path between
Chicago and the Twin Cities--a distance
Of about $50 miles. The great Sheridan
Drive already extends great part OF the
way to Milwaukee, and sidepaths exist
along much OF the remainder. Lake
Michigan is to be left at Milwaukee and
line struck across Wisconsin to La
Crosse on the Mississippi. This will run
through Waukesha, Oconomowoc, Water
town and other popular resorts in the
eastern half Of tie state. From above
La Crosse the western bank Of the Mis-
sssippi will be followed TO St. Paul and
Minneapolis, through Winona, Wabasha,
Red Wing, Hastings and other small
cities and towns. OF the final hundred
miles, perhaps fifty are already side
pathed.
Wheelways 8 are today most frequently
met with in the Middle States and ON
the Pacific coast. But the bicyclists OF
the South and Midwest are becoming
vitally interested in their building-and
naturally so.
No comprehensive system OF building
has yet been formulated either in the
MIDI West or South, each league work.
ing out its own independent plans, as
the Northern leagues were doing two or
three years ago.
The cycle path is first and last an
American institution, and II carries
American ideas in financing and build.
ing wherever it goes, Melbourne, in
Australia, and Christ.church, in New
Zealand, are already at work on routes
into their surrounding country. In
Europe there is not now, nor is there
likely TO be IN the near future, any con-
siderable effort ia this direction. The
need there is scarcely felt.
Heretofore, wheelways have been al
most entirely confined to districts hav-
ing poor roads. But within the past
twelyemonth they have been constructed
parallel TO many OF the best highways in
the United States. The extension Of the
movement was not at first contemplated.
1t is the oulgrowth of the understanding
that a specially prepared course for
bicycles and trioyoles, and for no other
use, is safer, cleaner, and less liable to
obstruction at all seasons Of the year
than any other road.
The comprehensive system Of road
making OF the future will take heed Of
the best interests OF wheelmen in this
matter. Plans recently prepared for a
municipal boulevard system in and
about Toledo, o., incorporate provisions
OF cycle paths TO run the full length of
the new driyeways. Eastern New Eng
land has until lately been quite satisfied
in the possession OF the best roads in
this country but her cyclists are now
demanding separation from other
traffic.
Bicycle touring increases IN proportion
10 tie ease and comfort with which
pleasure trips can be made. The wheel
path affords way carefully suited TO
the requirements Of the end oi the cen
tury machine.