On this day in 1899: Bike speed limits in St. Paul

One hundred and 25 years ago today, the St. Paul Police Department, fed up with all the recklessness, slapped new speed limits on ... bicycles.

Flashback: Bicycles were the primary mode of transportation in the late 1800s.

• According to the Minnesota Historical Society, their advocates had pushed for paving city streets, which were used by horses and carts (you're welcome, motorheads).

By the numbers: The SPPD set the new speed limits at 6 mph on sidewalks and 8 mph on streets, which is about the pace of a brisk jog or run.

• The department also created a 12-officer bike patrol to catch the speed demons, per the MHS.

Why it matters: History is repeating itself as the rise in heavier and faster e-bikes has reignited the debate about how fast is too fast on park trails.

State of play: St. Paul's trails now have no speed limit, while Minneapolis' trails have a 10 mph cap, although that limit is not enforced and seldom obeyed.