On October 1, 1911, the City of Susanville set the speed limit to fifteen miles per hour, but the speed limit usually was ignored. Times have not changed. However, the Lassen Advocate newspaper of January 10, 1913 addressed the issue:
“Another man’s dog got under the wheel of a gasoline juggernaut this week. Sooner to later it will be somebody’s child that will fall a victim to the speedomaniacs disregard of the law. Then (maybe) our officers will recognize the difference between forty and seven miles per hour.”
For the record, In May 1902 the City set the initial speed of limit of eight miles per hour, of vehicles whether motorized or not. After all, it would be another year before the first automobile made its appearance on the streets of Susanville. Why the fuss? The bicycle craze was all the rage in the town, and the speed limit was supposed to deter the cyclists antics.