Look Back: Keeping track of bicycles
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Bicyclists Warned About City Code
City police yesterday issued a warning that the municipal code prohibiting riding of bicycles on sidewalks will be enforced, and officers have been instructed to arrest violators.
Numerous complaints that boys and girls have been riding bicycles on sidewalks have been received at police headquarters, they said, and in some instances, pedestrians have been struck and injured.
Police also pointed out that bicycles should proceed north on Market street below Ninth to conform with the one-way automobile traffic, and said that bicycles going north are endangering their own safety as well as that of motorists and pedestrians.
The Parkersburg News
May 6, 1937
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Bicycle Licensing Ordinance Proposed to Decrease Thefts
Administrative details for registration and inspections are being worked out by City Solicitor I. M. Adams in conjunction with the local police department. The mayor pointed to several bicycle thefts in the city this week as an indication of the need of such an ordinance.
The measure is designed to cut down bicycle thefts and accidents and will affect more than a thousand bicycle owners in the city. Under the ordinance license tags will have to be welded to the frame.
It has not been decided whether the ordinance will require bicycle riders to pass examinations on competency. Some cities have included this feature.
Excerpts from
The Parkersburg News
Aug. 12, 1937
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Bicycle Ordinance Becomes Law
Parkersburg's newest regulatory ordinance -- the bicycle tax proposal -- became law yesterday morning when council adopted it on the first reading. It will become effective in 10 days.
The provision calls for an annual tax of 25 cents per bicycle, payable July 1 of each year.
Every bicycle operated within the city will be required to bear a metal tag upon which will be stamped the letters, "P.B.T."
A complete record of make, type and size of each bicycle, with description of tires and other equipment will be included in the record which will be kept at the city clerk's office. It is expected that this information will greatly facilitate police in their checking of stolen wheels, of which there are a dozen or so each week.
Excerpt from The Parkersburg News
Sept. 1, 1937
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Half Hundred Youngsters Purchase Bicycle Licenses; "Buddy" Cox Requests Tag No.1.
Approximately half a hundred bicycle owners, mostly youngsters, visited the city clerk's office at City hall yesterday to purchase municipal bicycle licenses.
"Buddy" Cox, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Cox, of 1204 Juliana St., requested license No.1 several days ago, it was learned, and it was lucky for him that he put his request in ahead of time. Half of the kiddies who applied for licenses yesterday requested the "ace" number.
The licenses bear the following: "1937-38 - Parkersburg (No. -- ) Bicycle License – P.B.T." These letters stand for Parkersburg Bicycle Tax.
The new municipal law requires that all bicycles owned and used in Parkersburg be licensed, and applies to bicycles owned by suburban residents who ride their vehicle in the city.
Excerpts from The Parkersburg News
Sept. 11, 1937
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Bob Enoch is president of the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society. If you have comments or questions about Look Back items, please contact him at: roberteenoch@gmail.com, or by mail at WCHPS, PO Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102.