HC Deb 19 June 1884 vol 289 cc810-1
MR. LABOUCHERE

asked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether there are any reasons why, in the concessions which he contemplates making to cyclists with respect to Regent's Park, Batter-sea Park, and Victoria Park, the use of those parks should be allowed to those only for purposes of traffic, and not for purposes of exercise; whether, if so, he will inform the House what these reasons are, and what is a purpose of traffic in contradistinction to a purpose of exercise as applied to cycle riders; whether he will put himself into communication. with the ranger or rangers of the Royal Parks of the Metropolis, and with the ranger of the Royal Park of Richmond, in order to see whether it is either impossible or inexpedient to allow cyclists to use them at such hours and under such conditions as would not interfere with the use of them by those taxpayers whose means enable them to drive in carriages; and, whether he will especially consider whether it will be possible and expedient to permit cyclists to use the carriage road along Constitution Hill, which is maintained at the cost of the taxpayers, but from which all public vehicles, and the private carriages of almost all taxpayers, are excluded?

MR. SHAW LEFEVRE

The deputation which I received on this subject a few days ago represented the great body of cyclists all over England. They informed me that a majority of their body saw grave objections to the opening to cyclists of Hyde Park and the other Parks not specified by them. They also stated distinctly that what they desired was the right of passing through Victoria, Battersea, and a certain part of the Regent's Park; and that until a general Act was passed regulating the use of velocipedes they did not desire to seek any further extension of the privilege which, in the absence of such regulations, they foresaw might be attended with inconvenience to the general public. After careful consideration, I conceded all that they asked, and this, I think, is as much as can be expected, or is desirable at the present time.

MR. LABOUCHERE

asked whether the deputation represented the cyclists of the United Kingdom, and not those of the Metropolis?

MR. SHAW LEFEVRE

said, they represented the whole body throughout the United Kingdom.