CYCLING NOTES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5204, 11 December 1895, Page 2

CYCLING NOTES.

[BY M.OOJIMi,]

The weather lately in tlio Wairarapa has not been too favourable for cyclists, but still the number of local wheelmen continues to increaso and a large number of machines have been placed in these parts. Tlio London lamplighters now use the cycle to expedite their work. Masterton gas lamps are not yet numerous enough for the official who attends to them, to go in for a bike. An enterprising piano-tuner, who does most of liis travelling on a cycle, lias fixed up a neatly-lettered and conspicuous advertisement between the wheels, and as lie always leaves his machine standing about, it answers very well. Another advantage is, that no one is likely to run off with it.

English cyclists are much exercised over the report that bicyclists are to be taxed. Nothing (says Bicycling News) has yet been done officially, and it is not likely that any definite step will bo taken for some timo; but at least one vory prominent member of the Government is closely interesting himself in the matter. It is not likely that the impost will tako the form of a tax as such; it will more probably be a registration feo; and tlio methods and amounts will probably be the same as those to which the keepers of dogs have to conform, Further, the innovation, if introduced, is not likely to bo included in the Budget, but will form the subject matter of a short Bill providing for the registration of cyclists, An English physician who is also a cyclist saysl havo seen no one injured by the exercise, save thoso who have fallen from tlio wheel, The vast majority of these escape with slight contusions or abrasions. Seldom is a bone fractured, and rarely is more serious injury sustained, Collisions and careless coasting yield tho severest injuries. The injuries are less severe than thoso seon after accidents to riders of other wheeled vehicles; but these latter are not subject to tho attention just now that bicycle accidents are, for the reason that tho wheel is only coming into general use, and has to contend with the prejudice and the opposition that are always inflicted oa an innovation.