English News.

Otago Witness, Issue 1640, 28 April 1883, Page 19

English News.

The Bicycle Union is rapidly extending its local centre scheme. Large and inj fluential centres are now being formed all ovet England. The establishment of these is suo j ceeding in bringing the Union and its work more under the eyes of the country riders, who, only knowing the Union by repute^ are shy of joining it, and «o giving their help and countenance to the cause of amateur cycling. The new Tricycle Union, after a very stormy beginning, has slightly settled down. Ab far as one can judge from this side of the world, there was no necessity for forming a new body, the old Tricycle ABsociation having been amalgamated with the Bicycle' Union 4 which body thus became the governing body for cycling in England. However, some men grew discontented under the new regime, and hence the start of the new Tricycle Union. At present tricyclists are divided in their allegiance, some joining the new body' and some sticking to the Bicycle Union. The French Union has finally settled the vexed question of amateur y. professional by doing away with all distinction, thus preventing any English amateur joining the French Union or racing in France. The constitution of the Union has been amended and a fresh start made, the Union now being merely a union o£ French clubs. >

As "headers," otherwise "croppers," eeem to be getting rather frequent amongst bicyclists, let me recommend President Bates' remedy-^ very simple one. He writes to the " Bioycling World" giving particulars of his invention, and its results. He proposed, and got adopted aa a rule of his Club, that a fine of 10' cents should be imposed for each fall. Since then there has not been a fall in the Club\ It w true that the president on one 'occasion 'dived over the handle bar, and stood in the dust" on his bald head.; but he explained that' he had merely dismounted to pick up a half-dollar which was lying in the road, and which tie thereupon expended in. refreshments for' the Club. Then another member, while riding side-saddle in the park, suddenly charged a fountain basin, and gracefully took a header' into the limpid water, but, nastily climbing out, explained that he bad been in so great a hurry to invite the members to partake of icecream, that he dismounted without looking where he was ' going. Unanimously voted more of a baptism than a fall.