The Velocipede: Its History, Varieties, and PracticeGoddard, J. T.
History
The Velocipede: Its History, Varieties, and Practice
Goddard, J. T.
Bicycles -- History; Tricycles -- History
The two best and largest rinks in the United States are to be found at
Harvard Square, Cambridge. One of them has twelve thousand square feet
of floor, and twenty-five good machines. The other, built by Mr. John
C. Stiles, is in the form of an amphitheatre, and has a circular course
of a little less than an eighth of a mile in length. Only part of the
track is under cover. At night, this rink is brilliantly lighted, and
the scene is at once novel and inspiring. Scores of riders rush madly
after each other at break-neck speed, round and round the arena.
We have seen an expert whirl over the course in seventeen seconds,
which is nearly as good time as any recorded abroad, and better than
any heretofore made in this country. The students of “Old Harvard”
crowd these rinks; the billiard halls and other places of resort are
deserted, and all are eager votaries of the fascinating art.
“WHERE SHALL WE RIDE?”
But one thing is likely to interfere with the bicycle campaign in our
large cities and towns; and that is the difficulty of finding suitable
places to ride in. Our latest hobby is already ridden with remarkable
fury in the streets, and will continue to be so, by those who make
the machine a means of utility. Foot passengers, however, claim the
sidewalks as their exclusive rights; and will hardly be pleased to feel
in perpetual terror of--
Bicycles right of them,
Bicycles left of them,
Bicycles front of them,
Rolling and tumbling;
and those who ride for amusement, are anxiously looking for suitable
places, where they can do so without annoyance to passers, or being
interfered with by them; where they can see and be seen; and where
their skill can be admired.
But velocipede tracks are now in preparation. Race-courses will be
free to the bicycle, velocipede stables will open in their vicinity,
and the proprietors will rapidly line their pockets. All the skating
ponds will be metamorphosed into velocipedariums and velocipede rinks.
These will make capital exercise grounds, where numberless riders can
make their graceful curves to the music of a good band; and where, in
hot summer weather, they can be protected from the sun by awnings. The
large parks will be open to velocipedestrians.
It has been currently reported that the Commissioners of Central Park,
New York, have prohibited the driving of the bicycle there; but the
rumor is without foundation. No such interdict will be issued, unless
the blooded horses object to the novel machine, by running away.
Well-bred horses, whether thorough-bred or not, already manifest no
emotion at the sight of the vehicle. Without doubt, the Commissioners
will yield gracefully to the public demand.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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