The Topeka state journal., 1921-04-30

Out of 100000 bicycles in actual
use today in the United States alone
a very large per cent of these belong
to boys under II years old, according
to statistics of the Cycle Trades of
America. Besides the pleasure de-
rived. the average boy regards the
bicycle as almost an absolute neces-
sity.
Increasing high cost of living and
the concurrent increases of trolley
fares in all cities has recommended
the bicycle to a very large number of
men who figure that riding a bicycle
beats walking, in addition to the saw
ing effected from eliminating the
money spent in street car fares.
A questionnaire recently issued
brought out the fact that a very large
proportion of bicycles sold today are
sold to boys under the age of II years.
This is quite different from the days
when the bicycle was the one vehicle,
and when bicycle riding was the one
fashionable fad. In those days, it
was the older person who took UP
bicycle riding. Possibly this was due
to the fact that bicycles were beyond
the means of the average youngster
or the average youngsters father. In
the good old days of 1896 or there
abouts, good bicycle cost from 800
to $3.50 Today, one can secure a high
and a medium grade wheel down
to $40.
Today, the bicycle is considered the
natural birthright of every boy and
girl. While the old-fashioned Cen
tury' runs are not in vogue now, there
are more young persons riding bicycles
than ever before for shorter trips
Look about the average school yard
If the school authorities have not pro-
vided suitable racks, you will find BIZ
cycles lying here and there about the
school yard in astounding numbers.
Leaders in the bicycle industry are
all optimistic as to the future develop
ment of bicycle riding. They point to
the fact that the boy market alone
has not reached its peak of develop
ment- Careful estimates and surveys
of this market have indicated a pos
sible sale of 100000 per annum Just
for boys for recreation uses. for riding
back and forth to school. for errands.
In New England, there is a very no.
ticeable use of bicycles by workmen.
A great many plants such as the
Springfield arsenal and Underwood
Typewriter company have huge bicycle
racks for the safekeeping of the BIZ
cycles while the workmen are at their
occupations.
National Bicycle week this year
happens to coincide with National
Boys week, which is under the aus
There are to be street parades of boys
organizations in a great many cities
thruout the country, and as many
of. these organizations have bicycle
corps, the bicycle will be demon
strated- to the public in all its popu-
| larity in these events. Cycling has
become one of the most popular of
the recognized activities of the Boy
Scouts of America. Many troops con-
| duct bicycle tours. visiting places of
| historic interest. The Boy Scouts of
| Los Angeles have recently completed
| a weeks ride to Mexico and back. The
| Boy Scouts of Albuquerque, N NJ,
| have conducted a tour to the Grand
| Canyon of Colorado and back.
I A glance about the school yards IN
/ Topeka will tell the story of the BIZ
| cycle instantly. The same is true at
most Industrial and business plants
| Every. motorist in Topeka can testify
to the increasing numbers of bicycles
| on the streets every day and the con-
| stant watchfulness they must exert to
keep from running over some rider OF
the less speedier conveyance. A bi-
| cycle contest or endurance ride in To-
peka would bring out thousands /ot
wheelists.