CYCLING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5489, 14 February 1896, Page 4

CYCLING.

[BY A. A. ZIMMERMAN.] (Melbourne Argus,) There is no doubt that the greatest pastime of 'the day .is cycling. This has made Buch rapid strides in the past' two years that the manufacturers find it hard to cope with the large demands for wheels. Asa consequence in the United State's alone no* less than a hundred new factories ! have gone into the business during the past season. • ;• ! The number of bicycles manufactured in the States last year was 650,000, and it is estimated that this year's output will be over a million. . - , The bicycle has interfered seriously with many branches of trade and industry since it became such a factor for use and pleasure. The livery, men have suffered most severely. They say, "The bicycle craze , has ruined our business, and we might as well close up shop." Bar-keepers declare wheeling has caused the drinking of intoxicants to decrease, and druggists declare that it has interfered with their prescription tradematerially by bringing health and strength to the thousands of men and women who wheel — it must have lessened the number of. patients. Lawyers must suffer, as both men and women who ride declare that the pastime has such a soothing effect on nerves and temper that they feel at peace with all the world. The jewellers are being forced into the business. A big watch and clock concern in Canton, Ohio, United States of America has decided to manufacture wheels'; also alarge'.one in Boston. In a recent conversation with one of the largest watch manufacturers I was informed that there was little demand 1 for fine watches since bicycling has become such a fad. "In former years, when a boy reached the age of manhood, His parents usually presented him with a handsome watch. .Now, as a young man gets an inkling that his father is going to give him a watch, the boy says, "Father, I don't want a watch ; buy me a'bicycle." As a result the watch trade has fallen off. Whatis true of the watch is true, of all lines of jewellery. It would look as if the. time will come when instead of the engagement ring the engagement bicycle will be the proper thing. In former years it was the custom in our flourishing colleges to present graduates with watches, which are now I superseded by bicycles. Is it any wonder that those interested in horse racing are anxious, and the- livery man sees 'only a dark future for his business ? In London and Paris thousands of infatuated wheelers plunge madly about the streets from dark until two or three o'clock in the morning. Great Britain has 1,300,000 cyclists, and a capital of .£7s,OOO,OOOinvestedinthe produc- i tion of bicycles, and the factories give daily employment to 42,000 men. The census returns of France enumerate 161,271 bicycles which are used solely for pleasure. Those used toy tradesmen in any of their business transactions are not taxed on that account. The figures fail to convey anything like an accurate idea of the number of wheels owned in that country. In Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, and Italy, the bicycle is fast superseding all other means of locomotion, especially when pleasure and health are the objects sought. •