Bicycle Ordinance

Bicyclists of Pittsford hoped that the Village Board would repeal or amend the Ordinance prohibiting the riding of bicycles or tricycles of any kind on the sidewalks of the Village.

In the same newspaper on June 21^st, 1894, we learn that seven young "wheelmen" were arrested for riding their bikes on the sidewalks of the village. They were arraigned before Judge Charles True and pleaded not guilty. The defendants retained John N. Steele as counsel. On the same day, we find that the unlucky seven had been discharged by the court since the jury did not feel that the complainants had established their case.

On the 26^th of June, 1894, we find that the Village Board had amended their bicycle ordinance in a way it was felt would be beneficial to the cyclists and would still protect the pedestrians. The new Ordinance stated "No person riding a bicycle shall approach within ten feet of a person walking or standing upon a walk or street or pass such person without dismounting or leaving the walk except upon the permission of such person, under a penalty of from $1.00 to $5.00 for each offense. The penalty for striking (or running into) a person would be from $5.00 to $25.00." Since the sidewalks of the Village were not overcrowded, it was felt that observance of the ordinance would not be difficult.