Kleiner’s Korner: Part 4 - Motorcycling on the Motor Parkway
In the final edition of this series, part 4 provides information on the use of the Motor Parkway by motorcyclists, as either a race venue or a means of transportation. As indicated in prior blogs, motorcyclists were eventually banned from the parkway due to excessive accidents. Documentation is from "Motorcycle Illustrated" and "Bicycle World and Motorcycle Review" except where noted.
Art Kleiner
1911
This 1911 race was limited in distance (5 miles) as compared to prior races and was conducted between the Jericho entrance and the Meadowbrook Lodge. $25 was added to the parkway treasury! Wonder of which hotel the article is referring. Liquid joy for lunch?
1912
A race the next year was longer, this time 40 miles between Great Neck and Ronkonkoma, mostly on paved road.
A five mile event the same year was won in 4 minutes and 50 seconds! Loser paid for dinner!
1913
A three day tour made use of the Motor Parkway's fine condition.
1914
A two entry match race between an Indian and a Pope (the motorcycles, that is!) The race was organized by a club in Paterson, NJ!
1915
A 35 mile race.
Manufacturers also demonstrated the speed that their motorcycles could go on the Motor Parkway.
1919
Those wishing to speed were encouraged to avoid public roads and use the Motor Parkway.
1920
The next year, duck dinners were said to be the reason for the cyclist's need to speed!
Undated
I'm not sure of the date of this speed test but little information was found after 1920 about motorcycles on the Motor Parkway. The prohibition against motorcycles was most probably the reason. Thank you to Al Velocci for his information concerning this.
Motorcycle Accidents
Accidents involving motorcycles contributed to the decision to ban them from the Motor Parkway sometime around 1923. The articles here are all from June and August of that year. (The Daily Review, June, 1923)
The County Review, June 29, 1923
The Daily Review, August, 1923.
Comments
Cool history and background of this series. Guardian angels were looking out for the mom, especially the 2 yr old. The LIMP was paved east to Wheeler Rd, Central Islip in 1912. 5 miles from Wheeler to the Petit Trianon was still dirt, going along with the 1912 article. Think the writer meant to say Brentwood, not Bethpage.
One more article noting that the 1912 race on the Motor Parkway was originally to be 17 miles between Great Neck and Beth Page (spelling as per article). No entry fee but each participant was obliged to pay the parkway’s admission fee. (The New York Times, April 14, 1912)