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Women And Bicycles

Women and Bicycles

Women and bicycles might not have been covered in your history class, but the bicycle has played a crucial role as a catalyst for cultural change.

There’s an exceptional book published by National Geographic back in 2011 titled Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle toFreedom (With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way). This fascinating work delves into the remarkable narrative of how the bicycle, a seemingly simple two-wheeled gadget, played a pivotal role in transforming femininity and reshaping the societal roles of women in our modern world. The book explores the historical context and cultural shifts that accompanied the rise of cycling among women, highlighting the challenges they faced and the triumphs they achieved along the way. It’s a compelling read for anyone interested in the intersection of gender, transportation, and social change, making it a must-read for history enthusiasts and advocates for women's rights alike.

"To men, the bicycle, in the beginning, was merely a new toy, another machine added to the long list of devices they knew in their work and play. To women, it was a steed upon which they rode into a new world." ~ Munsey's Magazine, 1896

"Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel." ~ Susan B. Anthony, 1896
famed suffragette leader and women’s rights reformer.

"Many [female cyclists on cigar box labels] were shown as decidedly masculine, with hair cut short or pulled back, and smoking cigars, then an almost exclusively male pursuit. This portrayal reflected the old fears that women in pants would somehow supplement men as breadwinners and decision-makers." ~ Sue Macy


The most extraordinary journey ever undertaken by a woman. Annie “Londonderry” Kopchovsky

A Jewish immigrant, roughly around 1894, unlike most women of her century, a 23-year-old mother of three and a housewife. You don’t think much of it when we put her background like that. But when two men made an alleged bet that no woman could encircle the globe on a bicycle while earning $5,000 along the way, Annie took up the challenge.

She left Boston in full skirts on a Columbia bicycle. She set out to prove to the world that she’s not only physically and mentally capable, but also this is not something only men can do.

She carried advertising placards on her bicycle, which also got her the name; Londonderry as a contract with the Londonderry Lithia Spring Water company. She bicycled through Europe and North Africa and sailed on to the South Pacific before returning to the states through San Francisco.

15 months after she left Boston, she made it back to where she began. Londonderry went on to become a vocal – and popular – advocate for both cycling and women’s rights. The New York World remarked in 1895 that her trip was “the most extraordinary journey ever undertaken by a woman,” leaving an immeasurable impact on the attitudes about women – and of women – at that day.

 

It may seem surprising that the bicycles could have played such a pivotal role in the women’s rights movement. What exactly was it about this familiar two-wheeled transportation device that lent itself so freely to unparalleled social change?

Of course, all these social changes didn’t happen overnight. But, it’s contribution to both improving women’s everyday lives can’t be denied. That's why women and bicycles topic matters. I think we’re at a turning point here again. After the industrial revolution, we made cars widely accessible, affordable, luxurious, convenient and such. But we came to a point where we’re damaging our planet more than we could ever do.

According to a research done back in 2010, we currently have roughly just over a billion motor vehicles around the world. So what are we doing to solve this issue? We’re manufacturing less harmful fuels, we’re manufacturing electric cars etc., But does that solve our problem? Simply said, no!

Even if a car is electric, it’s still fundamentally a car. While electric vehicles are often touted as a more environmentally friendly option, they still do not address the underlying issues of our traffic congestion problem. Moreover, they continue to contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, albeit at a reduced rate compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. So, what’s the next step in addressing these pressing issues?

In larger urban areas, many residents have come to the realization that our public transportation systems are failing to meet the needs of the population. As a result, individuals who can afford to live closer to their workplaces often choose to do so, opting to walk for their daily commutes. However, there is another segment of the population that has recognized a more innovative solution: ebikes. These electric bicycles are emerging as a viable alternative to both cars and public transport.

One of the most compelling advantages of ebikes is their minimal impact on traffic congestion. In fact, you can fit roughly 8 to 10 electric bikes into the same space that a single car occupies. This means that as more people adopt ebikes, we could see a significant reduction in the number of vehicles on the road. Additionally, ebikes offer the convenience of commuting up to 100 miles on a single charge, making them an efficient choice for daily travel. They also come at a fraction of the cost of owning and maintaining a car, making them an economically attractive option. Beyond the financial benefits, riding an ebike promotes physical health and can significantly enhance your mood, providing a sense of freedom and enjoyment that is often lost in the hustle and bustle of city life.

This is why it’s challenging to think of another invention that has transformed society as profoundly as bicycles have, or that holds the potential to do so in the future. Bicycles, including their electric counterparts, offer liberation, enjoyment, and a sense of freedom while simultaneously fostering societal changes that can lead to a healthier environment.

In light of these considerations, this week, as we celebrate International Women's Day, we wanted to take the opportunity to highlight the relationship between women and bicycles. Women have historically played a significant role in the cycling movement, advocating for their rights and using bicycles as a means of empowerment. Through this article, we aim to explore the impact of cycling on women's lives and how it continues to shape their experiences in society today.

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