General Cycling Discussion - Oregon's bike-crazy Governor... 111 years ago...

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SteamDonkey74
08-29-12, 04:42 PM
Bikeportland.org just recently ran this article on Gov. T. T. Geer, who pushed for bike lanes to be funded by a bike registration fee and a requirement for lights, back in 1901.

http://bikeportland.org/2012/08/28/bicycle-license-tax-separated-bikeways-in-oregons-1901-bicycle-path-bill-76647

One of my favorite parts of HB 63 is the bit about how failure to use lights could result in a $5 fine or three day imprisonment.

Phil_gretz
08-30-12, 08:01 AM
Can you imagine a law like that today? Every protected group in America would be claiming that this law is targeted to discriminate against them specifically...from pantomimes to druids - there would be outcry.

Let's not tell local politicians that they can require a bike registration. The though of collecting fees might be so alluring that they lose self control and propose emergency legislation to address the crisis of lightless, unregistered riders...
Artkansas
08-30-12, 08:13 AM
from pantomimes to druids - there would be outcry.

http://throb.typepad.com/throb/images/flickr_mime_protest.jpeg

SteamDonkey74
08-30-12, 09:14 AM
I just thought it was an interesting reflection on the priorities of at least some in 1901.

One of the things my grandpa (born 1914) often said was "as long as they don't scare the horses." I wonder if some ofthisconcern for lights and separate paths comes from a perspective of not wanting to scare horses.
chaadster
09-02-12, 06:42 PM
Interesting stuff; thanks for the post.
chaadster
09-02-12, 06:43 PM
I just thought it was an interesting reflection on the priorities of at least some in 1901.

One of the things my grandpa (born 1914) often said was "as long as they don't scare the horses." I wonder if some ofthisconcern for lights and separate paths comes from a perspective of not wanting to scare horses.
As I cyclist who has spooked a horse on a trail before, I can tell you that I now take that issue seriously.