New Britain herald., 1927-06-04
ROADS SPEEDWAYS
 FOR BICYCLE FANS
"SCorCbelS'' Once Numerous in
 and Around City

Innumerabe problems center about the autom mobile-speeding, li- csnses highway conditions, danger to life and limb, to name few but these same troubles existed quarter-century ago and focused about the bicycle. The bicycle has not become as extinct as the oX-cart, but it is well on it's way into limbo. and even the old-time bicycle club members today have difficulty in realizing the heat of the discussions which once waXcd around the two- wheeled vehicle. Ahsurdlties they scem in the face Of the more Nirulcnt ones dealing with the auto, but who be eclipsed by aviation problems of the future.
 The bicycle came as a freak. de- velope1 into a craze and necessity. and has gradually fallen back. The first bicycles, with huge front and diminutive rear wheels. were too precarious for any but the most dar- ing. but with the safety bicycle and it's equally sized wheels the craze stage set it.
 All the fashioned young men in New Britain invested in wheels and The clothes cleaning business receiv- d sudden impetus from the many spills of the beginners. Young mcn' is used advisably. In those first days it was improper for a wo- man 10 ride a bicycle-not only inn proper, but almost impossible. A bicycle could not be ridden side sad dle. Not until some genius devised the rop-barred bicycle did the wo- men take 10 the new invention. but then they made up for lost time and soon were almost as numerous upon the roads around here as were the men.
 Bicycle clubs were formed, the Y. NJ. C. A. Most of the men prom inent in industrial, commercial. and political circles in New Britain to- day belonged to this club at some time around the end of the 18th century or start of the 20th. The various Y" clubs in the state formed loose federation and made runs" centering in first one city and then another. The club in the home city would provide dinner. and the societies from the other localities would all make that city their Mecca for the day, with an entertainment and social time as further stimuli to wearying feet. The joy and sor- row of these clubs were both sum med up in the words "century run;' nobody could consider himself a qualified cyclist until he had made a hundred miles (century) in one day. and many a teamster picked up odd change carrying back the dusty ve- hicle and n-out body of an un- successful century rider.
 special Bicycle Paths
 So popular was the craze that special bicycle paths were built be- side many roads and across fields. These enabled the cyclists to avoid the dusty highways of the time and the spirited driving horses which trod them. The state kept these in repair. and the expense was met by licensing the bicycles which used them. The fee was only 50 cents d year and the cyclist received a li- cense, plate for his money. but many objected to the procedure and would not obtain licenses. The state had no means of stopping these individuals from cycling, but it did prevent them from using the tate-maintained paths.
 The ''scorcher" was major problem. comparable to the speeder of today. Oddly enough. West Main street was the racetrack of the scorchers just as it now is of the motorists, and accidents were fre- auent Many dear old lady or un- suspecting old gentleman stepped off the curb at High or Washing ton street and promptly did forced dive onto his face as wheel struck him. It was argued in the local papers at the time that something should be done to cut down the width of the handlebars: the frame and wheels could squeeze through almost any space left by two hur- .<r;o h,,t h1 ho0 Ia bars were something else again.
 X "lantern law" was passed by the Connecticut legislature, provid- ing fines for all cyclists who failed of the riders actually used lanterns, while others used those new-fangled acetylene lamps which paradoxical- ly burned when the fuel was wet ment 10 the law was added later; this allowed motorists caught away from home after dark 10 ride home without their lights. New Britain hole, and every lantern law violator arrested managed 10 prove that he had been away from home at nightfall. The storm Of public pro. test stirred by the thought of hav- ing unseen wheelmen dash out of the dark, knock one down. and es. cape without penalty. eventually led to the repeal of the amend ment.
 No Drunken Riders.
 About the only parallel between cyclists and motorists which cannot equilibrium on a bike. The drunlSard operator. The reason is self-cvident. A man under the influence Of liquor can sit in the drivers seat of T car, but he simply cannot maintain his equilibrium on a bike. The drunkard attempting 10 ride took a spill and landed in tho doctors office. but he could not ride far enough to end up in the jail
 Wheeling meets were held. and, naturally. tha syort became profess At~,.