Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-11-08

.ence during the past year and has
been seriously considered by several
people willing to put up at least some
If the capital necessary to launch such
q venture II has been pointed out
that Oahu has a large number OF
young Oriental athletes who have
taken to the bike as duck takes TO
soup, and who were riding almost be-
tore they could walk, and that these
wheeimen have always shown inter-
est in the racing game. The Haleiwa-
Waikiki bike race, held In connection
with the annual marathon over that
course. always drew big entry and 1t
seems that there is good foundation
for the statement that q saucer track.
we'll conducted and offering brand
II sport above suspicion OF crooked
less, would be popular here.
To Honolulu bikers 1t may be inter-
esting to know that great revival OF
The wheel is predicted on the MAIN
and, and that already the signs. of the
times point to return to popularity
3f bicycle racing.
Will bicycle racing ever become the
sad it was back in the 90's?
Many think it will, and they are
working diligently to bring back the
once great popularity of the bike. They
lite success in the greater number Of
youngsters riding bicycles every year
the last five seasons than at any
time since the smash along in 1904.
and In the number of machines man
ufactured
Julian T. Fitzgerald of Chicago. sec.
Rotary of the Western Skating Associ-
alton, secretary of the Rink Managers
Association, Amateur Athletic Union
leader an old-time amateur and pro-
fessional rider, is one OF those strong
st in support OF the new bicycle,
low being used as in the prevalent
expression, new woman"
He comes out with an interview on
he sport in one Of the Chicago pa
oers.. This Is what he has to say:
Everything touching the develop
ment of the bicycle has taken place in
100 years. Crude affairs were exhib-
tied In Paris about the beginning OF
he last century. soon to be forgotten.
n the 20 years following inventive
activities were responsible for the
hobby horse. bone shaker and veloci-
pede, but periods Of apparently no
progress took place IN the 70's new
era commenced and from that time the
bicycle has come again into its own.
It is serious to see how the diction,
afy defines the word bicycle - In an
edition Of the COS the following def.
aitiun Is found: a vehicle having q
large wheel. above which IL the saddle
seat for the rider, and small wheel
following or preceding, propelled BY
means OF treadles attached to the
crank or levers.
This would hardly describe the
present day bicycles. in which won.
derful changes and representative
been Incorporated. such as the chain,
bevel gears, pneumatic tires, coaster
brake ,two-speed gears. etc. enough,
surely, to keep friend Webster on the
lob making revisions, If he were with
us today The following description
by noted bicycle enthusiasts touches
perhaps more responsive chord In
our hearts: The bicycle is Individual:
q friend. adapts itself to you. an aid
to labor, unequualed for. pleasure.
Back In First Days Of Wheel.
Going back to the first bicycle, we
learn that A. T. Lane of Canada
brought the first one to this contin-
ent, but. A. d. Chandler Is credited
with being the first rider. English
machines were exhibited at the cen
tennial exposition In Philadelphia In
1876. The first bicycle was made in
this country year or two following.
The cost of this machine was 1913.
Later it was sold and all efforts to
trace it since that time have failed.
At that time people ridiculed the
bicycle, consequently the manufac-
ture of BICYCLES as business was
looked upon az visionary.
"At first bicycles were imported
from abroad, and perhaps 1000 or
more were taken from England in
1880. About 1878 the first order for
American make bicycles was given
to the Weed Machine company. This
order was for fifty machines and the
demand for American made bicycles
increased until prejudice against them
was eliminated and the country took
up riding as a fad. -s. Es
ut is interesting to note that the
price advanced steadily from 1878.
when the standard machine sold for
800, to that of the best bicycle sold
in 1893 at $3.50. For nearly ten years
after the chief patents had expired
the price continued to advance. This
is perhaps unparalleled in the history
of industrial products, but people de-
manded better machines, lighter and
capable of more speed, and for this
they were willing to pay the price.
Bicycle Clubs in Favor.
Bicycle clubs and bicycle races
came into favor early. The first club
was formed in Boston u. 1878, and
one of the first bicycle races was held
the same year in South birmingham,
Mass. Clubs and races, no doubt, did
much to advance the popularity of the
bicycle, but perhaps no more so than
cycling trade journals that were
at that time.
ITO keep pace with the demand for
bicycles, factories sprang up like
and the record mark was
~ l. ;aks II