San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-03-18
-FOUR MILLION
WHEELS IN USE
IN !. s. TODAY
But Ownership Still Com
paratively Small,
Figures Show. a.
"REAL" CYCLISTS FEW
Start Campaign Here to
Increase Number Of
Bicycle Owners.
"REAL" CYCLISTS FEW

The bicycle II a national asset util'
lied but not realized, according to
local bicycle dealers. 1t is estimated
by one dealer that approximately A.
100000 bicycles are in use in the
United States, 100000 in the British
Isles, and nearly 100000 in France
In the latter country bicycles are reg
istered and taxed SO that the number
of wheels in use is definitely known.
by far the majority of these mil.
lions of bicycle owners use the wheel
for utility purposes" said the deal
er, "They use it because it is so
exactly suitable for getting about cas-
lily and quickly. 1t is handy, simple
jn construction, and costs next 10
nothing for upkeep. 1t saves time and
money. At the same time such use
of the bicycle keeps millions Of peo-
pie in good health.
Few Know Real Cycling
@The fact is that the bicycle has
been absorbed into the routine of
everyday life. Only a comparatively
small proportion of the four million
devote the attention to the bicycle
which the two-wheeler deserves Never
theless, it would not be true to say
that the bicycle has ceased to be a
cult and has become a commonplace.
Even if Se except the very lively ara
intelligent class who constitute the
real cyclists, it must not be ina
gined that the nation has turned from
cycling as a pursuit to cycling as a
convenience. The facts are-and this
is the crux of the matter-that the
great majority of the four million have
never tried real cyclgy.
at is a paradoxical position, and
one which is vastly interesting be-
cause of its possibilities. Four million
people, say, make use Of the bicycle
for riding to and from work, paying
calls, shopping, canvassing, attending
sports of all kinds, delivering goods,
desultory 'round-the-corner rides and
so forth. And yet they do not know,
or do not care, that they have in their
hans an instrument which could make
such an immense difference in their
lives. if properly adapted and under
stood.
Must Change Viewpoint.
@The proportion of real cyclists is
even smaller in this country than II
any other. One Of the greatest prob
lens facing the bicycle industry today
is how to induce the grown-up public
to take up cycling as sport or recrea.
ton, and to consider the bicycle as
something more than a hack or toy for
the youngsters. As long as this view
point remains unchanged the sale OF
bicycles will be limited to certain re-
stricted fields, but make cycling a
popular sport, like golf, for instance,
and the demand would take an imme-
date jump"
Believing that cycling deserves an
important place in Americai sports
and American business life. the lead
ing bicycle dealers of San Antonio
have started a campaign to increase
the number of bicycle owners in this
city. Each Sunday for the next fifty
two weeks, space will be used in The
San Antonio Light setting forth the
pleasures and advantages of cycling
Dealers who are cooperating in this
campaign are the Dibble Company
POI South Alamo street; Charles A
James. Ill North Flores street, Der
J.. Miller company, 232 IL East Com
merce street; L. II. Pittman, 500
Markt street: Rogers Reliable BIZ
cycle store, 321 West Commerce
street; Len Cycle company, L. r. Ull
rich, proprietor, 800 South Alamo
and Garden streets.