Wheels of Change: Women's Mobility and Cycling

This chapter examines the influence of bicycle design, particularly the penny-farthing, on women's mobility in the late 19th century. It discusses how restrictive fashion and societal expectations initially limited women's cycling experiences, while innovations like the safety bicycle and the Bloomer garment empowered them to embrace cycling as a means of liberation. The chapter also humorously critiques outdated perceptions of women's physical activity and highlights the role of cycling in advancing women's rights and suffrage.