Bicycle riding was
a favorite sport for men and women around the turn of the century,
and tags were issued at 50 cents each to be attached to every
bicycle in Suffolk County. The following is from the Brooklyn Daily
Eagle for May 23, 1899.
“Riverhead May
23: County Judge B. H. Reeve of Greenport has appointed the board
of sidepath commissioners who will do the work in Suffolk County
under the new Elsworth sidepath law. These seven men include
William B. Hedges of Patchogue, Charles Edwards of Riverhead, J. H.
Davis of Port Jefferson. The sale of license tags permitting their
owners to ride upon the sidepaths of Suffolk County will soon be
begun.
“Patchogue, May
23: That the midsummer meet and bicycle carnival of the New York
State Division of the League of American Wheelmen, to be held here
on June 30 and July 1, will be a success, is foreshadowed by the
extensive preparations which are being made. A baseball diamond is
being put in condition for games, the cycle paths of the vicinity
are being placed in proper condition for the summer season and the
midsummer meet especially. Parties of 10 can secure board at
private boarding houses at reasonable rates where they can be
secluded. Safe sailing upon the Great South Bay, and salt and fresh
water fishing and bathing will be among the attractions offered.
Those desiring board should address Jesse C. Mills, chairman of the
reception committee.
“Riverhead, June1,
1899: The first meeting of Suffolk County’s new sidepath commission
was held in the courthouse here yesterday. All the commissioners
were present including Henry H. Preston of Shelter Island, who was
elected permanent chairman, Edwin D. Fishel of Riverhead, Jesse H.
Davis of Port Jefferson, Ansel B. Gildersleeve of Huntington, Samuel
H. Higbie of Babylon, William B. Hedges of East Patchogue and
William R. Reimann of Sag Harbor. The license fee for wheelmen was
fixed at 50 cents per year and the secretary was authorized to
purchase 10,000 wheel tags, which will be distributed between the
various commissioners fore sale to cyclists. It is the intention to
have them placed on sale in every village and hamlet in the county.
The inscription on the tag will be “New York Sidepath License
NO.-1899.
“L. B. Green of
the Patchogue Argus and a member of the committee of arrangements
for the League of American Wheelmen cycle meet at Patchogue late
this month, addressed the commission and invited the members to
Patchogue to act as judge at the big bicycle parade of July 1. This
was accepted and the commission will attend.”
“The meeting
adjourned to meet at the Central Hotel at Patchogue on June 19 at 10
a.m. The following notice was ordered sent to all newspapers for
publication:
“Riders of
bicycles in Suffolk County are required by the Elsworth sidpath law,
passed by the Legislature of the state of New York in 1899, to
procure a license to be placed on the left fork of the bicycle.
Licenses may be procured upon the payment of 50 cents, and the law
states that anyone who rides a bicycle upon any sidepath in the
county without such a license on his wheel is subject to a fine of
not more than $25 or 25 days imprisonment.”
“At 6:30 p.m. on
Saturday July 1, a bicycle carnival and parade will be the greatest
event of the day. Prizes will be awarded to the lady and gentleman
having the most handsome costume, also the ones having the most
handsomely decorated bicycle.”