THE OMAHA SUNDAY BEE: MAY 5, 1918.;
8 D
eek May 4 to
o
loeai mcyci
i
Nat
flMiy-POWfl? VEACLE RETURNS
TO ITS OWN AGAIN AS ECONOMY
BECOMES WATCHWORD OF TIMES
War Makes Cycling at Popular as it Days of Two Decades
Aeo: More Bikes Sold Last Year Than During Boom
Days of 1898; Exports Hit High Marks.
The bicycle a war-time expedient. That in a nutshell Is
the thought that will be promulgated by bicycle men the coun
try over during the current week.
The current week, starting yester-Y
. day and ending: next Saturday, has
been officially pronounced National
Bicycle Week by the United Cycle
Trade directorate and it is estimated
that of 4,000,000 bicycle riders in the
United States and Canada more than
1,000,000 will- participate in the activi-
. tics of the week.
The bicycle is the most successful
of all man-power vehicles. Only a
little more than two decades ago the
bicycle was thelmost popular short
distance vehicle. Man, woman and
child alike (sed it for business and for
pleasure.
Motor Interferes.
Then came the motor vehicle.
Gradually, as the automobile and the
motorcycle developed, the bicycle be
gan to fall behind. Many of those
companies which manufactured the
man-power bike turned towerd the
newer field and began the manufac
ture of motorcycles. Soon the bicycle
became more a playing for the small
boy and girl than a vehicle of trans
portation. Then came the war. And the
bicycle returned to its own again. It
now gives promise of becoming as
popular and widely-used as in the
days of yore, when the streets of
every American city of consequence
were thronged with the two-wheeled
vehicles.
Scientific economy that is the
spirit of modern war-time. And that
is the keynote of the bicycle.
No Upkeep Costs.
The bicycle is indisputably eco
nomical It entails no upkeep costs
as the motor vehicle or the horse
drawn vehicle. It is purely t man
power affair. Its only expense is that
of repairs a relatively insignificant
item, owing to the simplicity of the
mechanism.
And it is scientific economy, for it
is a rapid and sure method of trans
portation, more rapid and as sure as
any other method which entails no
more expense.
The paramount aim the country
over is conservation of time, money
and energy. There you have the bi
cvcle. It fulfills each one of these
aims.
j Yankee Invention.
America is the home of , the bicycle.
It is another of the many Yankee in
ventions which have taken their place
as world necessities. It has found its
way to almost every spot of the
I t . i I . . i
Eiooe -at least xo every spot wnere
cycling is possible. More than 50,000
mrvriH are Finnrren innninr. irine
, v..
figures snow.
The United Cycle Trades director
ate reports that more than 60U.OW bi
cycles have been sold since the war
begun. The increase in sales has been
little short of enormous. It is esti
mated that the 1918 sales will total
mora than 500,000, the greatest num
ber sines more than 20 years ago.
Active in Omaha,
Omaha dealers -will take aa activs
part in National Bicycle Week pro
gram. Practically all of the well
known and better brands of wheels
are represented in Omaha and the
local sales agencies will have special
displays of new models.
Despite the fact that the bicycles
are crowded from every day view by
the great numbers of motor vehicles
on street, Omaha is one of the garden
spots of the country for bicycles. It is
used extensively for both commercial
and pleasure purposes and sales by
Omaha bicycle establishments run
into the hundreds annually.
This vear the local men look for
ward to a greater volume of sales
than ever. They anticipate the big
gest year in history, and the rec
ord of sales already made indicates
their prophecy will run true.
Never Went Away.
"The bicycle is pot coming bsclc
& - . . " ita.l..i Cam.
II never WCIll nwajr, usvais uam
F. Boord, manager of the Omaha
Bicycle company, one of the largest
dealers ot two-wneeiea Dicycies in
the middle-west
"Demands for bicycles in Omaha
exceeds the supply. I never have
enough wheels to fill orders. We
have lost sutht of the bicycle a lit
tle in the overwhelming number of
motorcvcles we see every day, but
an examination of the books of any
bicycle 1 dealer in this part of the
country will show that the 'do-your-own
pedaling machine still holds its
popularity.
"We have just received a new
shioment for bicycle week. They are
the classiest as well as the sturdiest
bicycles ever made. When I sell these
wheels I'll do it with a full knowl
edge that I need hope for no .repeat
sales, because the bicycles are so ex
ceptionally well made they'll never
wear out. I never saw such sturdy
bikes before."
Modern Day Vehicle.
'The bicycle has returned to popu
lar favor more than most people be
lieve " said Tames C. Van Avery, man
ager of the Nebraska Motorcycle and
Bicycle company. "Last year more
than 1,000,000 bicycles were sold in
the United States. Do you realize
that is alarger number than was sold
durinor the bicycle boom days of 1898?
At that time the bicycle was a fad,
but today it has become a necessity
a necessity for commercial purposes
and for health and recreation, lney
say the bicycle is a vehicle of a for
mer age, of a day long past, and yet
more are sold now than ever before.
Does that look like the bicycle is a
vehicle of the past? It does not. And
the bicycle is going to be more pop
ular than ever this year."
Y Newest Bike Store. .
The Nebraska Motorcycle and Bicy
cle company is Omaha's newest bicy
cle store. It is located at 624 South
Sixteenth street, just two doors north
of the Castle hotel. .
The firm is the exclusive repre
sentative of ,the Excelsior bicycle.
They have a large supply of these
wheels on hand and several new ship
ments are expected soon. Models to
suit every age and purse are on dis
play and are sold on the easy pay
ment plan. In addition to the wheels,
the Nebraska Motorcycle and Bicycle
company carries a complete line of
supplies, tires and accessories.
Omaha Real Estate is the best in
vestment you could make. Read The
Bee's real estate columns.
Unloading Harleys for Vic Eoos
iws or
Yrr 3&1
t -' -
i-V
k -
Now Is the Time
Thi Is the Place
The Hudson Is the Bicycle
We are still selling the Hudson Bicycle, with Tip-top
saddle finished in U. S. olive drab color, with new Armor
coaster brake and genuine $9 Vitalic tires, at $35.
We have a few left at this price, which we bought in
carload lot before the last ten to twenty per cent raise.
We have also the celebrated Kaycycle, Indian, Bix Six,
Miami and Merkel lines. See us first. You know the
place. Same location for twenty-five years.
-.
OMAHA BICYCLE CO.
311-23 North 16th St., Om.ha
Tb Big BicycU and MotoreycU Company
VIC R00S.IS ONE
0FPI0NEEEBIKE
DEALERS OF CITY
Vie Roos, representative for the
Harley-Davidson bicycle, is one of the
largest distributors of bicycles in the
entire country.
Roos is a pioneer bicycle man. His
first business venture was a bicycle
shop at Twenty-seventh and Leaven
worth streets. Then, when he entered
the motorcycle field, he retained his
bicycle lines and today ranks as one of
the largest of bicycle as well as mo
torcycle distributors in the country.
Roos is one of the leading spirits
of his field and he is well known to
bicycle men all over the country.
The Harley-Davidson wheel, which
Is handled by Roos, is one of the
standard makes. It has a record for
durability and easy riding qualties.
Scores of Harleys are in constant use
in Omaha and the adjoining territory.
Dicky and HU Cotuln,
DJoky iu brought p on m Isolated
Texas ranch and hl only playmato war
rabbits, a dot, a eat and some pet pigeons.
His mother, plakninr a visit te her rela
tlres in the north, said to him: "When
we go you'll hare some little eonelns to
play with, Tou'U Ilk that, won't yen,
Dicky f
'Tm not are," answered ths little fet
low. "Do leonilns hare two legs or four?"
ANNOUNCING
OMAHA'S NEWEST AND
Most Up-to-date Bicycle Store
Exclu
sive Agents
for
Excelsior
Bicycle
Bicycle
Tires
I
and
Repairs
Ezeelilor "Superb"
We extend a cordial invitation to yon, to visit our new salesroom and select your Bicycle from the finest
and most complete stock of Bicycles in the city. A brand new and up-to-date line of bicycle accessories
and tires. ' , i '
Nebraska Motorcycle & Bicycle Co.
Distributors , ' .
Esealslor and Hendorton Motorcyclss.
BICYCLES SOLD ON EASY PAYMENTS.
Phona Tyler 2987. 624 S. 16th (2 doors north of Hotel Castle.)
RIDE A BC
The Wheel
In The Window
PERHAPS you were in a
hurry today and rushed by
.without seeing them, Shim
mering in the sunlight, slick,
k slender and graceful, enameled
and nickeled, standing there like
greyhounds, ready to leap out
at you.
Too bad you didn't see them
because you are going to be asked
, about them when you get home.
Some little sharp eyes saw
them there, and the big sign also:
"National Bicycle Week
May 4th to 11th
Post up now. You will have to face the "Little Inquisitor"
tonight and explain what this "National Bicycle Week" is
all about
The Bike season is on, and if you are not aware of it now
you will be, before many hours.
You don't .need' much coaching to brush up on "Bike
Time." You will well remember that those were your hap
piest days. They have come 'round again and your boy or
girl or little brother or sister, or nephew or niece some
youngster you know has the "Bike fever." They're just
burnin' up for a Bflco.
The modern wheel doesn't cost half as much as yours did.
The sacrifice is very little on your part and the benefits to
, those youngsters who are dear to you, well you know, they
are immeasurable.
It is natural and right that every boy and girl should want to
Ride a Bicycle
Select-your wheel now, while 'you can get delivery.
Dealers are keeping open house this week.
9
Dealers Who Dropped Bike
See Error of Their Ways
Convincing evidence that the bicy
cle is still in the ring is the number
of dealers who have returned to the
bicycle game.
Many dealers turned away from the
bicycle seven or eight years ago and
began to devote their exclusive at
tentions to the motorcycle. Others
who were hardware merchants
dropped the bike and handled hard
ware exclusively. 1
But they're going back , and the
records of the United Cycle Trade
Directorate show that many score of
former bike dealers who dropped
their lines several years ago, have
seen the error of their ways and havt
entered the bicycle trade field again.
Health Experts Staunch
. Supporters of Cycling
The bicycle has at least one staunch
supporter. He is the health expert
Healt'i experts the country ovet
recommend cycling as a health meas
ure. It provides plenty of exerciss
and it furnishes plenty of air and sun
shine. It makes for rugged consti
tutions for growing boys and girls,
develops the muscles and the lungs,
and it is pretty good exercise for
grownups who think the golf link!
offer the only healthful recreation
possible. It is one of the very best
methods of keeping physically fit
VV MM. J A M.J V
When buying a bicycle you can get more value for
your money when you trade at our store because-i-'
First Our tremendous buying power gives you
the benefit of rock bottom prices.
Second We are not in the high rent district. ,
Third Our business is run on a systematic and
economical basis, and last but not least our fifteen
years' experience in the cycle business is' at your
service.
HELP WIN THE WAR
By conserving on the original purchase price and
by buying quality goods that last longer and give the
maximum amount of satisfaction.
BUY A
HARLEY-DAVI
and you get that satisfaction and economy that goes
only with quality merchandise. We have them to fit
every pocketbook and remember you always get a
few dollars' more value when you buy from us.
We just bought up anotherjot of high grade bi
cycles from a concern going out of business be sure
and see these bargains before you buy elsewhere.
DS0M
VICTOR H.
Bicycle
The Cycle Man"
Harley-Davidson Motorcycles
2701-03 Leavenworth St
for Sales
with Pictures
N that tell Your
Story at a
glance
1 M ;