THE LADIES’ BICYCLE.
Probably the most daring innovation the ladies have made in the domain
of sports and pastime within the past decade consists in their riding
the bicycle. There is no earthly reason why they should not ride a
bicycle if they wish to; that is to say, those bicycles of the modern
type especially made for them. At least no objection can be urged that
would not equally apply to tandem and single tricycles.
Notwithstanding the above fact, there is and has been a reluctance
on the part of the ladies to take up the two-wheeler, and probably a
greater reluctance on the part of the community at large to countenance
the step. It is needless to discuss the propriety of ladies riding
tricycles; the question has been settled by themselves by simply
riding; and there is the end of it,—they came, saw, rode, and conquered.
Granted that a woman may ride a tricycle with propriety, it would seem
a shame to deny her the right to the less cumbersome and much neater
mount. The ladies’ bicycle certainly is the more modest appearing, if
we were used to both, and it takes much less work to run it; if it does
not thrive, it will mean simply that the entire system of ladies’ cycle
riding must go. Common prejudice cannot long sustain such a senseless
discrimination as to keep her on the “trike.” Tandems, of course, have
an advantage in that the spectators can imagine that the man is doing
all the work, which is generally about as true as that he does all the
work when the family cook-stove is to be moved. No better illustration
of the change of public opinion in the matter of ladies’ cycle riding
can be had, than in the little story told of Mr. James K. Starley,
relating an event which is said to have occurred some years back on the
streets of Coventry.
This indefatigable genius of modern cycle art was pumping one of his
early tricycles about the nooks and corners of Smithford, Hereford,
Jordan Well, Little and Much Park, in the ancient city, amid the
jeers and contemptuous sneers of the lusty silk weavers and cynical
watchmakers; whereupon, being goaded to desperation by their taunts, he
rose and exclaimed, “Why, the time will come when _ladies_ will ride
these things through your streets.” And ladies have long since ridden
them through the streets of Coventry, as well as through the streets
of many other towns, without compromising themselves or exciting undue
comment, while the noble city of its birth has become the centre of
modern cycledom.
Social forms stick, often in spite of reason, and it may be a long time
before it will be generally conceded that woman is in her legitimate
sphere when perched upon the saddle of either a tricycle or bicycle,
and if the lack of physical development continues to be one of the
chief angelic characteristics of womankind in the mind of man, the
time will be very remote indeed. But should it be discovered that less
seraphic and more muscular tissue tends to make us all happier, then
perhaps the time and doctors’ bills will be shorter.
It is scarcely necessary to explain the construction of the bicycle
intended for ladies’ use; suffice it to say, that a modern Rover Safety
is used in which the backbone drops down to a level with the cranks,
and the rider can step between the wheels and rise into the saddle by
the pedal mount; not a difficult task, to judge from the grace and
ease with which women accomplish the feat every day. It is not within
the province of this book to pass encomiums upon any tribe, class,
or individual, nor to compliment any sex, but it would be heinous
selfishness not to give the ladies some credit when it is so justly
their due, as in this matter of the “bike.” When, on the streets of
Washington, I see apparently timid girls make the pedal mount and move
off so naturally and adroitly, the feeling of comparative superior
physical dexterity, generally accredited to our sex, suffers a
tremendous blow within me. In meeting these fair riders at their homes
it is quite evident that they still retain the old-time graces and
accomplishments common to the sex which men delight to honor. All this
proves once for all and conclusively that some of the ideas entertained
by mankind about womankind approach very nearly to the sphere of
unmitigated humbug. Below will be found an energetic opinion of one of
the ladies, as chronicled in the _Bicycling World_.
“WOMEN, BICYCLES, AND DOCTORS.
“Being a member of the L. A. W., I naturally see the _World_, and I
have beside me a copy of your paper, in which I notice an article
on ‘Why a woman should ride.’ I agree with the writer in that the
ladies should ride, and from my own experience I have found it
improves my ‘health and complexion’ very much. I have only been
riding since last June, but I am stronger now, and enjoy living
much better than I ever did before that time. The pains and the
doctors have both gone, where, I don’t know and care less, so long
as they _have_ gone and so long as I still have my bicycle and can
take my ride every day. It seems to give me life, and I feel the
life-giving exhilaration born of this splendid exercise after I
take a five-mile run around the city, or, perchance, the country.
It is such sport to leave far behind fast-trotting horses, and men
and women who are obliged to take the street-car every place they
go. And what could be more amusing than to see some or all in a car
rush to that side to see a ‘lady riding a bicycle.’ I sometimes
get just a trifle angry when I hear some old feminine fuss and
feathers say, ‘Oh, isn’t that _disgraceful_ to see a _woman_ riding
a _man’s_ bicycle!’ They, I suppose, never read the papers, as
they would scarcely ever have time after working, worrying, and
scolding their husbands (if they are lucky enough to have one). If
they could just for an hour have the pleasure of riding as I do, I
think the cross, fretful, and worrying fits would be few and far
between. I could not do without my bicycle now. Sometimes when I
have been out I come home laughing, and as I trot my five-year-old
baby on my knee, she sometimes says, ‘What’s happened that’s so
funny? tell me.’ And as I take her little hands and we fly around
the room together, I feel that no woman on earth is as happy as
I. Even after riding ten miles I do not feel tired, but come home
feeling better than when I started. My husband is very much pleased
that I ride, and here I will mention that the advantage in having a
lady’s Safety is that either can ride. I actually think sometimes
that my bicycle is keeping me too young in actions, and that I am
not growing old gracefully as I ought to.
“Now I don’t want any one to infer from this that I am one of
those strong-minded women that want to vote, and keep the men in
petticoats. Oh, no, indeed! I am very well satisfied to let the men
run this government as it is, or as it will be after March next.
“+Grace E. S.+”