Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-16

The problem Of evolving adequate pre-.
cautionary measures to protect life and
property against the
dorses, recklessness Of certain
Bicycles and types Of human beings
Ao.;dart. Is one which probably
began when the first
man discovered that he possessed the
power Of locomotion, and it is .
most certain fact that 1t viii en-
dure to the end OF time. The
pedestrian Of today, trained to see,
think and move at the high speed Of
this generation, steps calmly out into
the street to make slow and easy
crossing In the face of vehicular and
other means of rapid transportation
from which the pedestrian Of so years
ago fed in terror. Today the horse and
the bicycle travel almost unnoticed
through the streets and highways. Half
century ago they we're serious mem
ace In all communities, as will be noted
by the following editorial printed in The
Star Of November 8, 1880, entitled Tho
Horse and the Bicycle" based on a fatal
accident in Brooklyn:
Referring to recent accident In
Brooklyn, one of our New York cotenn-
poraries is moved to say:
Is 1t not time that some restriction
was placed on the reckless use of bicy-
cles In tho streets? The heart-rending
accident in Brooklyn on Tuesday eve
ming, by which an estimable and lovely
young lady was killed by being thrown
from her horse, Is directly traceable TO
the use OF these dangerous piaythings:'
Without desiring to champion the
cause Of the bicycle specially, we beg to
inquire why nearly everything in life
and everything on the public highways
has to be subordinated to the comfort,
convenience or wishes of people who use
horses? The person who has the first
and most rights in the use Of o thor.
oughfare Is unquestionably the foot pas
senger, In his or her individual capacity,
and We fail to see why persons who
propel themselves on q machine Of any
kind, by their own power, should be
compelled or expected TO continually
give way to others who happen to be
riding or driving horse. At any rate,
It Is time that protest should be filed
against the idea that every device which
has frightened or might frighten q
horse shall be placed under ban, and
for that sole reason. Had this spirit
prevailed there would have been little
Or no progress in the world up to the
present period, and those who entertain
i are behind the age.
THE time probably Is coming when
the horse will be largely supplanted in
the economies Of city life by q cheaper,
1uieter and cleaner motive power, and
that noble animal and his drivers and
riders may as well make up their minds
70 accept gracefully the gradual changes
IND progressive improvements which
VIII bring about that new and better era.
At the same time, the bicyclists. or
,ome OF them, need to be cautioned not
70 run their machines In q way to need
essly alarm timid horses. For the most
part, our young wheelmen exercise due
caution In this particular. but occasion-
lily some youngster, who thinks himself
.ather an ornamental creature OF crea<
Ion, undertakes TO execute fancy friIls
n the shape Of scallops, loops and cir
les, around carriages IN morlon on our
irives; and 1t is calculated to Disturb
he nerves OF the quietest horse 70 have
bicycle shoot swiftly across his track
without warning, after the noiseless
ashton with which the machine moves
'ver our asphalt streets.
Let the wheelman keep to the right
N the thorOughfares, and avoid the
to show how easy Il n 80
ust run round Q horse and all win Be
vel. Horses are rapidly getting familiar
With the appearances Of the bicycIist. and
70 not mind him at all, except when, as
Itated. he approaches them unawares.'