The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-04-08

Der Of lakes and picturesque places at
VARYING distances from five to twenty
FIVE miles, some cheap and satisfactory
means of reaching them is demanded;
Walking is too slow, the overcroWded
excursion trains are discOuraglng and
the automobiles are still beyond the
reach of the average citizen. The Wheel
solves the problem in most satlsfac-
tory manner. being inexpensive, speedy
enough for anyone buta the most I'M
patient and at the same time furnish
ing pleasant and exhilaratlng exercise
Interest Centers on Paths.
Naturally the revival of interest in
wheeling restores the matter OF cycle
paths to one of public Importance. In
Minneapolis there are about fifty miles
Of cycle paths and in Hennepin county
there are three paths aggregating about
thirty miles. Some are in bad shape,
others are in fair condition, and all OF
them need repairs. ..z
The city sold about 5000 bicycle tags
last year, realizing about $1,000, which
was spent<inaz, repairs on the city paths ans
be desired, as so little was spent on
them in 1904 that they were in poor
condition. Much work should be done
this year. The curbing is gone in
many places and should be. replaced.
Some are washed out and there are
many little ravines, caused by rains
| which need filing. @= $s
| To do this work requires money and
the only source Of funds is from the
sale of bicycle tags. 1t is believed
that more than $4,000 can, be obtained
were more than 10000 riders in the
. city last year, but less than half Of
4 them took out licenses and assisted II
/ tb maintenance of the paths. No at
tempt was made by the police to en-
force the bicycle ordinance aside from {
brief squirt early in the spring. Whe1
the riders found that they could use tn.
paths unmolested by the police withou
securing licenses and tags, there was n
inducement for them to spend thei
money and they took advantage of tn
situation. :.5
There is likely to be vast differenc
this year. w. +. Bateman, who is on
Of the most enthusiastic wheelmen il
the city, called number of his cyclln!
friends together last Friday evening t
talk over the situation and call a mas
meeting Of wheelmen to organize a b
cycle association or rather a cycle pat
association. The idea met with instan
favor and there is promise of larg
and strong association.
4-s ~ > Tags Must Be Sold. -
There is much that can be done I
the first place, the sale of bicycle tag
could be greatly stimulated. The hes
] method is the aid Of a bicycle inspectc
with police powers. He should be 0
the paths all day to keep off the ride1
with untagged wheels. IL has bee
suggested that the inspector should /
provided with supply Of tags an
I when rider was found with an; u
tagged wheel, the offender should (
given the option Of taking out a licen.
on the spot or going to jail, as it is
plain misdemeanor TO ride on the patti
4 without having first secured license.
Such an official would earn his sala1
B many times over and the wheeling dew
tees are indignant that the position h;
not been retained. Former superb
tendents of police have made the pl,
that they could not spare one Of the i
spectors for bicycle service, as the for
was too small for the regular duties
,-.. : a