Evening journal., 1902-04-25
WHEELS AGAIN
ARE POPULAR
More Bicycles Ridden Now
Than for Years
BUSINESS TAXES NEW LIFE
Local Dealers Kept HuStIing in
Their Attempt 10 PiII Their
Numerous Orders

Bicycle riding, once so popular as a
sport and recreation. but which de-
clined two or three years ago. is again
in vogue More wheels are being rid
den In Wilmington and vicinity this
spring than for two years. Bicycle
dealers report a boom in the business
and believe the wheel is destined to
become as popular as in the palmy days
Of bicycling. four or five years ago.
Men in the bicycle business say they
are selling many new wheels. All bi-
cycles are being repaired and the de-
mand for lamps. brakes. bells and
other undres correspondngly large.
These statements are verified by the
Increased number OF bicycles seen on
the streets and roads in the vicinity
.of Wilmington.
The boom is not seen in Wilmington
alone. In Philadelphia and other
cities the wheel has jumped into popu-
lar favor. The bicycle dealers are
busy and therefore happy. For THE
past two on three years, the bicycle
business here has not amounted to
much. Many people who were in the
business and at one time had
a big trade. We're compelled 10
go into some other business and sim
they are working hard 10 fill their or
ders. One reason given for the boom
that during the period when the
wheel was ridden little. Children have
have reached the age where they can
ride. The wheel is practically new to
them and they are anxious to try the
silent steed. Other people. who once
rode have overcome the fatigue and
ills brought ON by long and hard rid
ing and desire to reap the benefits to
be gained by riding the wheel
moderately. Century riding and
road racing have declined and all
though both practices caused allimp
in the sport for a time 1t is believed
it win be beneficial in the end IL Is
a fact THAT Those Who started to ride
the wheels years ago and did SO
moderately are still riding some us
ing the wheel In their business and
others as means of getting exercise
land fresh air.
The movement for good roads In
lagurated by wheelmen years ago when
lcycling was in it's infancy did not stop
when cycling declined In popular favor
land seemed about to become a matter
of history. Farmers were at first in
clined to fight the good roads agitation
because of the additional expense in
CURED. In some states the common
Wtolth took uD the matter and built
good roads. The farmers found they
were better off In the end. even If the
taxes were increased somewhat at
first. Now the farmers are strong
good roads advocates. The revival in
road driving has had a beneficial ef-
feet on the wheel Horsemen became
interested In good roads. Better
road for horses meant better roads for
bicycles. With a few exceptions, the
roads in this vicinity are in a better
condition than ever. Wheemen have
not been slow TO note this fact and
take advantage of it.
In order TO see that the city wheel
men get their rights and TO protect
pedestrians, the police bicycle squad
will go on duty in a short time. The
wheels owned by the department will
be placed in first class condition.
Policemen Pierce, an expert wheel
man and an authority on all matters
pertaining to the wheel, says there are
more riders in Wilmington this year
It1an he has seen for three years.
4 Many Of them, he says are new riders.
Mr.. Pierce is one Of the original police
bicycle squad. He is a fast rider, and
holds a record for long distance rid
ing and speed. Scorchers and reck-
less drivers both fear him.