Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-05-01
NATIONAL BICYCLE
WEEK OBSERVANCE
Riders and Dealers in Whining
ton Exploiting ths Merits OF
the "Silent Steed."

Wilmington, in common with the rest
of the country. is observing National
Rcvclc Week, which began last Satur-
da,. Activities during the week will be
large and plentiful. Local dealers in
sporting goods, as we'll "a other cnthu-
sss,s Of the wheel" will cooperate in
making the observance success.
The main feature during National
Ricyclc Week will be a $4,000 adver-
tising campaign. Scores Of races, psradcs
and other activities featuring bicycles
will hc held and Wilmington's part in
the celebration will bc far from lacking.
Bicycle riding "a increasing most
surprisingly, statistics show. The
people who were once possessed of
feeling that they were too proud 10 be
seen ON bicycle are now recognizing
its convenience and are happily joining
the army OF riders. In France, one
fortunate enough to own bicycle IL
classcd with the "wcll-to-do."
There are more workmcn riding b'-
cycles today than ever before. Whyg
Simply because they found out that a
bicycle was convenient, economical, a
utility and source of pleasurablc
exercise.
School children are showing decided
increase this year in the numbers who
ride to school and this tendency IS
hcing encouraged. In conjunction with
newspaper advertising, there is stul
another way To put the bicycle on the
market One ambitious salesman has
found unusual success IN his method oi
advertising of using brand new
wheel and riding 10 n nearby school al
the time OF recess or dismissal. The
same stunt is being worked at factories
When man sees n perfectly new and
pretty wheel right before him and 5
proposition IL offered enabling HIM &c
&c, bicycle ON plan convenient TO hi'
pocketbook. he will most likely ask fol
Wilmington bicycle and accessory deal
ers are up and doing. To make most
of this spring business they are prepared
with n good stock of goods SHOW
windows have been attractively ar.
ranged and the store thoroughly cleaned
As n matter of fact II will be one bls
week, not only in Wilmington, but IN al
other cities.
The 1922 season will he still a create
year for racing. With National Bicycle
Week AS the opening gun for the sprln,
business. practically every dealer in th'
city will look forward 20 the variou
riding events.
Few Bicycle Accidents.
There Is an impression in the publ
mind that there Is q large number q
accidents 10 users Of bicycles on tn
streets and highways OF the nation
\ recent investigation OF the State c
Connecticut, however, would seem {
disprove this theory. There, perhaps
are as many bicycles IN Connecticut 3
m any other area Of equal size. With th
Connecticut figures as a basis, therefor,
u will I've shown that there are fews
accidents 20 hicyclists than TO an
other group OF vehicle drivers, base
upon au ANALYSIS of accidents pc
thousand vehicles.
Ratio per number Of vehicles per on
fatality 20 occupants, operators, passen
gers one IN ,iaS.
The Birvcle Manufacturers Associs
ton has gone on record as desirln
20 cooperate with motor vehicle depart
ments az the various States in minimi,
ing and avoiding accidents onlhighway
20 bicycle riders, and these statistics sho,
that few accidents occur to riders be
tween the ages OF ten and eighteer
In fact, records show only three IN on
year.
The Bicycle Manu- fac,urers AssC
ciation, IN furtherance of its desir
90 reduce accidents 10 the minimum
has recommended TO all dealers tha
when a sale Of bicycle is made, the
instruct the purchaser as TO the laws {
the highways and also has recommends
that each manufacturer insert in i
catalogues and all printed matter II
following:
!. The bicycle is a vehicle and, ther
fore. entitled 10 the same rights AT
privileges on highways enjoyed /
horsedrawn vehicles or automobile
2. Observe the laws governing the u
Of highways.
8. Never ride on the wrong side Of q
road.
4 DO not Glitch on" 20 a vehicle
3. EQUIP Yourself with bell or 9th
warning device.
O. Use lamps at night for your ov
protection.