THE WHEEL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1367, 12 May 1898, Page 25

THE WHEEL.

ACCOMMODATION FOR OYCLISTS.

Prominent among the necessities that should be recognised by local governing bodies is that of improved facility for cycling. Perhaps a better way of describing this requirement would be to say that facility is needed, since at present there is none. The cyclist now has to jolt; his (or her) adventurous way over uneven roads, and take his (or her) chance with the vehicular traffic which so often proves bumptiously indifferent to the rule of the road. Of the few highways available in the vicinity of Wellington, some are so narrow as to be dangerous for cycling, others are unpleasant because of bad road formation, still others are too thickly fre--1 quented to be safe—and ail are unpleasant. What is wanted is a movement on the part of local governing bodies to provide such a separate cycling track as is found in Dunedm, for example. There a cycling path raised above the roadway a few inches (so that vehicles may be prevented from using it) is provided on some roads. In other countries—notably in America and in France —the same plan has been adopted with excellent results. Here the claim of the cyclist to consideration of the kind is mistakenly disregarded. Hot long ago the Melrose Borough Council and the City Council were invited by the Harbour Board to take steps to extend to a chain the width of the road between the city boundary and Kilbirnie. This could be done partly by reclamation and partly by excavation on the hiU-side. In conjunction with 1 the proposal to make a road 100 ' feet wide along Clyde quay and thence to the city boundary, it would have given the city a splendid suburban highway in which a cycle track could easily and inexpensively have been included. Unfortunately nothing more seems to have been heard of either scheme. If a cycling course cannot be obtained in that direction, however, there is room for it in another. The Thorndon Esplanade is peculiarly suited to exercise of this kind, and as there are already asphalte paths there, all that is needed is provision for a round tour of the Esplanade and permission to use those paths from which cyclists are at present excluded. * Even with the use of one path on the Esplanade an excellent track could be made at very small expense from the old Government Railway Station at the beginning of Thorndon quay along to the end of Tinakori road and thence running into the Esplanade. That would make a sufficient round trip. It could be done at little cost —all that would be required being a coating of tar with a sand dressing—and it would not interfere with traffic, of which there is very little along the road mentioned, certainly not enough to be hampered by a special track eight or nine feet wide. A larger scheme which has been mentioned is one for a track to be laid on the Hutt road, if only as far as Ngahauranga. This we shall be glad to support if evidence is | supplied as to its practicability on such a narrow road. In the meantime what is most ut gently required is facility for that most numerous class of cyclists which takes wheel exercise in moderation for recreation, and is not concerned in long distance outings or " scorching" runs—and these would be best served by a pleasant path round the bay or a short round trip by "nay of Thorndon quay, Pipitea and the Esplanade. It is certain, however, that cyclists themselves will have to contribute to the achievement of such an end as has been suggested. If they do not supply money they must supply energy and political pressure. This ought not to be difficult. Bicycling has become such a popular pastime, and so many people ride awheel, that an organised movement to obtain facilities round the harbour coast, on the Thorndon Esplanade, or on the Hutt road seems to have an alluring chance of success. That it should be organised is essential. A decision should early be arrived at as to the direction in which accommodation is to be agitated for, and if , that can be done the rest will only be a matter of exerting pressure. Money will doubtless be required to carry the agitation to a successful conclusion, but this cyclists ought to be willing to contribute to relieve them of the great disadvantages they at present suffer under. Any such systematic movement as we'have suggested will receive our support, and we shall be

pleased to open subscription lists in aid of it. Atlthe meeting of the Rangitikei County Council on Saturday, Councillor Holden gave notice to move thai a tax of 7s 6d be levied on bicycles in the county. At the Nelson Cycling Club's sports Maxwell, of Dunedin, and Chalmers, of Wel> hngton, were the most successful riders. Butland, of Wellington, also rode well. Maxwell takes the gold medal and also one aggregate prize, and Chalmers another.

A. bicyole oase. Inglis Bros. v. Holben and Kirk, claim £26 5s 3d, was heard by Mr Haselden, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. Mr Tripp was for the plaintiffs and Mr Campbell for the defendants. The evidence went to show that two bioycles were sent to the defendants at Palmerston North. One of them was returned to Wellington, and it was in regard to this machine that the action was brought. Mr Tripp contended that the plaintiffs accepted it on the condition that pedals for it were supplied within a reasonable time, and that the pedals were not so supplied. Mr Campbell submitted that the acceptance was unconditional, and that the plaintiffs could only have relief by way of damages. Documents were put in, and evidence given that the pedals were an essential part of the bioycle, being of a special pattern. The Magistrate reserved his decision.

Messrs Chalmers and Butland, two wellknown local cyclists, returned last week by the Mawhera from Nelson, where they have been competing successfully at a cycling meeting.