Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-10-22
CYCLISTS AND THE PUBLIC.

The letter addressed TO the candidates
for municipal Office by the Wheelmens
Protective Association, viii be found IN
another part OF this issue Of the
News" 1t Is much more moderate
than we expected During the cOntro-
versy which arose some time ago over
the respective rights of bicycle riders
and pedestrians on the public streets,
II appeared to us that the wheelmen
were rather extrayagant in their de-
mands. But they appear now TO have
become more conservative and ore
much more likely to obtain what they
seek for, than when they put forth
claims which seemed to encroach upon
the rights Of the general public.
They do rot ask, now, 20 occupy the
sidewalks in the business and other re-
stricted districts. They appear to be
willing TO leave them as they are al
present. But they do expect to be pro-
tected In their rights on the streets
of the city, wherein they will not in
!rude upon those that are reserved. II
canot be fairly denied that the peo-
pie who choose the bicycle for locomo-
ton should be permitted to use the
streets. In such way that they win
not interfere with the walking public
or with vehicles cf any other kind.
II Is fact that there Is danger to
the cyolist IN running IN close proxlm-
ity to street cars. We have noticed
that Buys are tempted 10 reach out and
lay hold OF rapidly moving cars, and
are liable to be thrown under the
wheels. II would seem that some other
portion Of the business streets could be
devoted TO the use Of the cyclists, ana
II ought to be kept in such condition
that 1t car be used at any time, ex-
cept when snow pr rain renders II Inn
passabe for that kind Of travel.
1t aust be conceded that the large
number OF citizens who use the wheel,
whether for business or for pleasure,
should receive consideration as well as
the rest of the people 81 this city. and
1. Is reasonable that they should de-
mand OF the candidates for public Office
some expression of their views and In
tentlOns in relation to this subject
We sympathize with them in their OPP
position to what they call 'the sprlnk-
ling nuisance" II the streets were
simply sprinkled. there would be no
nuisance to complain OF. But they are
frequently drenched instead OF sprin-
Killed., particularly in spots, and thus
pools and puddes are formed and thick
mud Is made, TO the detrlment not only
of bicycles but Of carriages and bug
giles, which are splashed and bedaubed
without any real occasion for the NUS
ance, Whatever can be done ought to
be done to remove all cause for this
complaint. The sprinkling problem
has not been properly solved as yet,
but we hope that more efficient sys-
TEN will be established here, so that
while the dust is laid on the freauented
streets. the work viii be done as evenly
and fairly as possible, and that bicycles
and other vehicles may be used upon
them without being daubed up In some
localities aud smothered with dust In
others.
We are glad to note that the wheel
mems association deprecates the
scorchlng nuisance as much as the
sprinkling nuisance. The scorcher
within the city limits should be sup
pressed. This cannot be effected by the
police with the limited number OF Of
fcers engaged. Il would require pa
trolmen on every street to accomplish
the end In view but every rational and
law-abldlng cyelist can aid in the reg
ulation Of this matter, by proceeding
against yiolators Of the ordinance, or
at least by giving such information 90
VIII lead 20 their detection.
The Deseret News has used It's In
fuence In favor OF It's walking pop
ulace, and their right to the use Of the
sidewalks without danger OF being run
down or colding with people on
wheels. We hold the same ground to-
day The sidewalks are for the general
public. This must be kept In view
At the same time the convenience and
benefits OF bicycle riding should not be
inierfered with when kept within fea-
sonable bounds. And rs II appears from
the address OF the Wheelmen's Associa.
ton. that the cyclists are disposed 10
recognize the rights OF pedestrians. we
should all manifest a similar disposi.
ton, and be willing TO concede to them
that which they nationally desire, We
have no doubt that most OF the nomi.
nees for city Offices viii acccde to the
wishes OF the association, and will an.
swer yes" TO the questions which have
been propounded.