Some local clergy even went so far as to condemn bike riding on the Sabbath. Bicycles were blamed for declining theater attendance, railroad revenue and horse riding. Temperance folk were hoping alcohol consumption would go down, but it held steady. Chewing gum went up, though.
Automobiles were still quite rare, but there were other vehicles to worry about for bicyclists. Carriages and wagons pulled by horses were one problem as were pedestrians (Just try getting across a bike lane in Amsterdam without getting hit.)
Seeking a solution to the increasing street chaos, some suggested raised bicycle paths and cycling organizations lobbied the city to pave streets. In 1897, the City Council passed an ordinance requiring$1 identification tags on bicycles. Cycling clubs supported it hoping it would lead to more paves streets.
Rather quickly the craze went bust. Sales, organizations and builders dropped plunged 1897-1904
But one Chicago firm building bicycles, Arnold, Schwinn & Co. stuck around.
Of course, this bicycling craze set the stage for the automobile craze coming along later.
Hey Mister, Get a Bike!! --Cooter
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