I want to ride my bicycle.........................

"Bicycling has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world.
I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride on a wheel.
It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance."
Susan B. Anthony, suffragist, 1896


Let’s talk about the bicycle and women.

The bike was introduced at the end of the 19th century and Women discovered a new form of freedom – cycling allowed them to travel independently outside of the home and the freedom to wear clothes suitable to cycle in.

The men of the Victorian era found liberation threatening. Indeed, society sought ways both privately and through the press to stop to women cycling in public. The Victorian dress code did not permit women to show their legs in public even if covered by pants and stockings. Wearing pants was considered “shocking.”

However, by 1900 it had become acceptable for more daring women to ride in bloomers (puffed out pants that were almost twice the diameter of one’s legs at the knees).

Just a few dates to muse over -


· 1888 - The modern "safety" bicycle is invented with a light frame and two equal-sized wheels and a chain drive. Women join (bi)cycling clubs in Chicago and tennis clubs in New York City.

· 1893 - 16-year old Tessie Reynonds of Brighton rides her bicycle to London and back, a distance of 120 miles, in 8.5 hours. She wore the shocking "rationale" dress - a long jacket over knickers, which outraged some observers as much as her feat.

· 1894 - Annie "Londonderry" Kopchovsky, 23, sets out to become the first woman to bicycle around the world, a journey that lasted 15 months and earned her $5,000 along the way.

The photograph above was taken in Germany three years ago and Frȧulein looks determined – perhaps she is in a hurry to concoct hubby’s dinner. She hammered uphill in the most unflattering and old-fashioned dress loaded with bags of groceries and produce. Way to go girl!