The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1902-09-18

The Republican has a proposition
to present to the wheelmen of this
city. 1t may be a good one, and 1t
may be a bad One-that Is, impractic-
al-but If 1t serves the purpose of
arousing thought along the line sug-
geSted we shall be more than content.
The central thought of the whole
proposition Is "cinder paths" or any
other old path that will give cyclers
some place to ride without danger of
running into open gates, across open
bitches, into pedestrians, over bumps,
high box sewers, etc. AS nearly as we
are able to arrive at the matter from
estimates by persons familiar with
Logan cyclers, Is that there are prob
ably between five and six hundred
wheels in use i'm this vicinity, and it
would seem that the idea of securing
some decent paths on which to ride
should receive weighty consideration.
That the sidewalks are not the place
for bicycles will not be disputed even
by those who can find no place else to
do their spinning. For cyclers to use
the walks is source of annoyance
and danger to pedestrians, who not
unfrequently are made to get kan
CARGO hump on themselves and even
then meet with an occasional hard
bump. Neither Is the walk a safe
proposition or source of much pleas
ure to the cyclist. There isn't a side
walk in town that hasn't from one to
six open bitches, high box sewers, or
Jumps or bumps of some description
that makes life burden every time
one is struck. Then again the incon-
yenience caused by little tots who
can't get out of the way and big tots
who insist on staying In the way when
the wheelman desires to pass is calcu-
lated to give one the nightmare occa-
siOnally.
If you don't like the sidewalk the
street is the next best thing, but with
the exception of square or two LO-
gan streets are impossible for bicy-
cling.
The proposition then quickly re-
wolves itself into this: "If the side
walks In their present condition are
unsafe and hardly worth riding over,
and even though in good shape would
still be source of Inconvenience to
both pedestrian and rider, why shall
we not have the street fixed up for the
purpose and let the cycling be done
there to the convenience of every
body" The question then arises how
can this be done, and tits our idea to
tell you one way in which it might be
done. This way may not be the best
way-you may be able to think of
something better, and if you can that
Is exactly what is wanted.
1naSmuch as 500 or 600 persons of all
classes, possibly representing twice as
many of LOgan's citizens, are cyclers,
1t seems reasonable that the city
would be willing to grant them the
exclusive use of at least three feet of
the street on each side of the light
poles on any and all streets i'm the
city. This six feet would be all the
room necessary for splendid path on
each side of the poles, and properly
cindered would make bicycling i'm Lo-
gan equal to grand tObOggan slide
down rainbow.
Then follows the question, where
will the money come from to do all
this building of paths and who will
see that 1t is done? Providing the
cyclerS are really DESTROYS of securing
for themselves good riding place the
money might be raised by assessment
or license. Good paths ought to be
worth at least 81 a year to any one
owning cycle, and 600 wheels at So a
year would mean 81, 200 year. $1,000
year properly spent would mean the
building of at least a mile of path.
81 200 a year for four or five wears
would mean that every street i'm the
city could have cinder path if de-
sired. The matter of building could
be under the supervision of club
of cyclerS, or the matter of IL
censing and building be turned over
to the city. Let the city impose IL
cense on every wheel and use the
money for constructing paths.
This is probably great dream, but
we believe it is thoroughly practical.
If the above presents itself in a fav-
orable light TO any considerable num-
Der of cyclers, there should be an at
tempt at some kind of an organization
that the matter may be Investigated
thoroughly and some definite action
taken. 1t would seem that the cycle
dealers and agents would take hold
of proposition of this kind quite
readily as the securing of good paths
would certainly mean the sale of a
greater number of wheels. Let's
hear from some one, anyone, on the
proposition or any phase of it-or any
other proposition toward the securing
of good paths.
In all probability very little work
could be done now, yet the prelimin-
AIRY work, making Of definite plans
and securing of money could be accom-
plished and everything put in readi-
ness for work next spring. Let's hear
fro