San Diego’s rich bicycling history, in pictures

Only pictures can convey best how incredibly rich San Diego’s cycling history has been. I have a few thoughts on how it declined that I will address in a future post. I see a bicycling renaissance happening all over San Diego right now and it is only going to increase its momentum from this year onward.Below are photos that are part of the San Diego Hostel‘s Archives documenting San Diego’s rich bicycling history. Many of these individuals featured in the photos below were true leaders both locally and nationally. I hope to pay homage to the tremendous influence they had in San Diego in years gone by by giving them the well deserved public attention they all deserve.

 

Dr. Shane MacCarthy, Executive Director of the President's Youth Fitness Council. Photo dated 1958 from HI-San Diego archives.

 

Bob Van Waay and his daughter, Susan. Photo dated 1958 from HI-San Diego archives.

What were the rules of the road back in the day? Below is the San Diego Youth Hostelers Twelve Rules for Safe Cycling:

1. Observe all traffic regulations: red and green lights, one-way streets, and stop signs.
2. Keep to the right and ride in a single file. Keep a safe distance behind all vehicles
3. Have adequate lights for night riding: a white light for the front and a red light or a reflector for the back. Wear white or light-colored clothing at night.
4. Have a bell or signaling device. Always ride at a safe speed
5. Give pedestrians the right of way. Avoid sidewalks.
6. Look out for cars that enter the stream of traffic. Keep a sharp look-out for sudden opening of car doors.
7. Never hitch on to vehicles. Never stunt or race in traffic. Never ride two on a bicycle.
8. Never carry other riders. Never carry packages that obstruct vision or prevent proper control of your bicycle.
9. Do not look back in heavy traffic. It will make you swerve towards the middle of the road. Rely on your ears.
10. Slow down at intersections and look to right and left, even though you have the green light.
11. Always use proper hand signals for turning and stopping
12. Ride straight. Do not weave, swerve, or stray.

All of which are still applicable today.

The photos documentation continues below.

San Diego cyclists posing for a photo. Dr. Clifford Graves is second from right. Photo dated 1957 from HI-San Diego archives.
San Diego riders. Photo from the mid 1950s from HI-San Diego archives.
San Diego riders posing in Idyllwild, CA. Photo from the mid 1950s from HI-San Diego archives.
San Diego riders posing in Idyllwild, CA in front of Idyllwild News Office. Photo from the mid 1950s from HI-San Diego archives.
San Diego riders. Photo from the mid 1950s from HI-San Diego archives.
San Diego riders. Photo from the mid 1950s from HI-San Diego archives.
San Diego riders enjoying the view. Photo from the mid 1950s from HI-San Diego archives.
San Diego's first bicycle advocate, Dr. Clifford Graves. Photo from the mid 1950s from HI-San Diego archives.
San Diego riders. Photo from the mid 1950s from HI-San Diego archives.
San Diego riders. Photo from the mid 1950s from HI-San Diego archives.
San Diego riders. Photo from the mid 1950s from HI-San Diego archives.