Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-09-08
PACED RACES IN
NEED OF REFORM
Craze for Speed Regardless OF
Safety Menace to
Cyclists.
RULES NOT ENFOKCED

The accident to Worth Mitten at
Philadelphia on Thursday night, When
the young Iowa pace-follower fell and
injured his ankle, brings home TO
mind the fact that the regulations
now in force for the governing of that
branch of the sport in this country
are very lax, and unless the N. {. A.
changes the rules more serious acct
dent than the one to Mitten is likely
to occur.
In Europe, where motor-paced rae
ing is all the rage, and where in one
year, 1904, to be exact, many OF the
riders were killed while engaging in
these events, due entirely to the mas
sive pacing machines then in use and
the craving for speed, safety was sac
rificed for speed, and in about two
months of that fateful year nine
prominent riders met their death.
After a number of these accidents,
realizing that more riders would be
killed, if something was not done, the
cycling bodies changed the regulations
covering the protection allowed the
riders. Among the reforms noted was
the placing back of the roller, the
abolition of wind shields, narrow mo-
tors and the proper dressing of the
moter riders.
With the changing of the regula-
tons it was noted that the time of the
races was somewhat slower, so be-
tween scheming motor riders and pro-
moters, who saw that the regulations
were enforced only in a pertunctory
manner, the speed gradually grew fas-
ter, until, at the present time in Eu-
rope, conditions are such that the U.
c. l., the governing body. at its last
meeting, held in the Hotel de Russo,
Berlin, Germany, Saturday August
%, passed a motion that motor paced
racing was becoming too dangerous
and that the regulations would have
to be changed to make the sport safer.
What changes will be made will in
all probability be in regards to the
size of the horsepower of the motor,
the moter riders costumes and the
length of the roller back of the motor
At the present time the roller is AZ
centimeters DC inches) and the front
wheel of the riders bicycle is to be SC
centimeters go inches) from the crank
| case. AS the nearer a rider gets tc
his pacemaker the more protection hi
will receive, it is probable that the
roller will be placed back still further
which will make it harder work fol-
| the riders and surely lessen the speed
| In this country the motor-paceC
regulations are not enforced and tn,
pacemakers have been getting away
with all kinds of stunts. Large COS
tunes. which gives plenty of protec
ton to the rider following, is maxim;
the racing so fast that it has reached
a stage bordering on danger. Then
again, the cyclists themselves in thei
desire to win. for the money that is Il
| it or for future contracts, take un
necessary chances, riding tires tina
are not the safest in the world by an,
means. In regard to tires, it nigh
be said that the constant slipping
while travelling at high speed wear
| away the outer strip and sometime
the riders will finish a race with
tire that is nearly worn through.
For the sake of the sport and ais
for the protection of the riders, it j
to be hoped that the National Cyciin
Association will. at it's next meeting
pass regulations governing thi
branch of the sport that will make
one of safety. with every rider hay
ing an equal chance as regards paein
equipment, and see that the regula
tions are enforced to the letter
Among other regulations that shoul
be passed is one that will compel tn
cyclists to ride with covered tires b
so doing accidents like the one ths
befel Worth Mitten, which wa
caused by a tire bursting. will be r,
duced TO great extent and tt
safety of the riders is something thu
should be tbol2ht OF