Dangers of cycling in 1896

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. There are many now who like to moralize almost as much as this doctor, when writing to the medical journal, The Lancet, in 1896 claimed that cyclists were a danger to others and themselves. The doctor was clearly anxious about the reckless cyclists on the road and set out to set things straight. The main difference was that back in 1896 bicycles were the fastest vehicles on the road.

It is a noteworthy fact that in nearly every case where an accident has occured the cyclist has been riding for pleasure, and it is still further noteworthy that by far the larger percentage of accidents are attributable to recklessness or want of knowledge and skill in manipulating the machine. A prolific source of accident and one which seems to present an every-recurring source of temptation to many cyclists to see how speedily they can sacrifice their lives is hilly ground. The moment the brow of a hill is reached the reckless cyclist seems impelled to take his feet from the pedals and to allow the machine to descend with all the rapidity which weight, gravity, and the gathering force give it. To the novice this is especially attractive, inasmuch as it gives him an opportunity of resting his tired muscles. Providing the rider has a straight and clear road it is just possible that no accident may occur, but the story of casualties from this cause is invariably the same; the cyclist loses control over his machine and collides with some object, be it cart, hedge, or wall, with the resulting effect of death or severe injury. A good brake affixed to the back wheel of the machine would have the effect of considerably reducing the number of accidents from this cause, but, unfortunately, there is an idea that the addition of a brake adds an inconvenient weight to the machine. It is true that there is still room for improvement in the matter of brakes, but there is a pneumatic contrivance on the market which is both safe and effective, it being attached to the back wheel and being very light the excuse of inconvenient weight cannot be urged.

It's amusing that fixie riders were even a hundred years ago obsessed with aesthetic lines and weight, which caused consternation and criticism of this dear doctor in calling for them to please install a brake!

Women were singled out for being particularly incompetent:

Quite a number of these accidents occur to women, many of whom are physically unfit to cope with the crowded traffic. Wedged in between a number of vehicles, and lacking the necessary nerve to extricate themselves, they waver, and either run into a horse and cause it to plunge or themselves fall beneath the wheels of a vehicle.

He provided a number of guidelines to help mellow the menace of the bicycle. Actually, many of these are quite practical:

• "Thoroughly examine your machine before starting on a journey.
• Do not ride without a brake, which should be attached to the back wheel if possible.
• Beware of tram lines especially when they are wet.
• Avoid turning sharply on a wet or "greasy" road.
• Pass horses at a slow speed.
• Never take the feet off the pedals when riding down hills.
• Do not ride with the hands off the handles especially in crowded thoroughfares.
• Ride carefully when passing side streets or the carriage entrances to houses.
• Before attempting to pass another vehicle ring the bell when at least twenty yards distant. This will give the rider time to see what the intentions of the driver of the vehicle in front are, and will enable the cyclist to take precautionary measures in time should such be necessary.
• When riding in parties vehicles should be passed in single file.
• Warning by the bell should be given in as gentle a manner as possible. The sudden ringing of a loud gong is apt to cause a pedestrian to lose his presence of mind and run into the very danger it was the intention of the cyclist he should avoid.
• When riding behind vehicles in a crowded thoroughfare be prepared to dismount at a moment's notice if necessary.
• Keep on the proper side of the road."