Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1888-04-15
WOMEN ON BICYCLES.
Adaptation OF the Two-wheslsd Machine
to the Use of the Fair sex-Bicycles Safer
Than rrlcycles.

WOMEN ON BICYCLES.
Adaptation OF the Two-wheeIed Machine
tn the Use of the Fair sex-Bicycles Safer
Than rricycles.
Washington S4r
The safety bicycle has not only brought
bicycling within limit where it is looked
upon with favor by conservative or tinid
men, but also seems 10 have solved the
problem of the application of the bicycle to
woman's use. A dealer who has just re-
turned from trip made to acqusint him
self with the state of the bicy yelling mind
abroad, in conversation with Star re-
porter, expressed the opinion that bicy-
cling would become very popular with the
fair sex. There are now about 500 wo'
men in Washington who ride tricycles.
As one BY one of these fair cyclers are in
duced 10 Try bicycles-perhaps first in the
seclusion of a bicycle school yard-and
taste of the superior Joys of the bicycle,
they will become enthusiastic for two
wheels instead Of three. The pleasure to
he obtained from cycling is in inverse pro-
portion to the number Of wheels ore
rides. Already some of the more venture
some of the fair sex have appeared on the
streets on ladies' bicycles, as they are
called. The introduction Of these bicycles
will be name more easy by the appearance
simultaneously of the tandem bicycle.
This is machine for two riders with two
handle bars and two saddles or seats. The
lady will sit in front and her escort in the
rear. With a good rider al her escort :
woman will soOu acquire sufficient conf
dence and dexterity on tandem to be
able to pedal her own single bicycle.
This spring and summer'it is expected
many of the fair ones Will take to the bicy-
Gle, and b. fore the year is far advanced the
novelty of the thing will be so far gone
that no lady will hesitate to ride for tear OF
attracting too much notice to herself. The
woman's bicycle is the same as the mans
bicycle, with modification which removes
all obstruction between the seat ard the
pedals, 30 that a womaD's dress can fall to
her feet. as on q tricycle.. On the safety
bicycles for men the frame is 80 COZ
structed that there is straight bar from
the axle of the rear wheel to the post, to
which the handle bar is attached in front.
OF course such an arrangement offers an
insuperable difficulty to woman in her
ordinary wearing apparel. The difficulty
has been overcome by making this bar or
backbo curve down and upward like
letter U. In general terms it may be said
that the saddle is attached ia little post
80 as to arrange to bring it over the centre
of the U-shaped frame. The pedals
are attached to an axle at the
bottom. of the U. So when the lady
is seated upon the bicycle with her feet on
the pedals, there is nothing to prevent her
dress from falling in proper msoner. The
mount is made even more easily than on
the masculine bicycle. Standing on the
left side, with her hands upon the handle
barg, the woman puts her right foot through
the u and upon the right pedal. Then she
raises herself on the pedal to the saddle,
the movement giving O start to the ma
chine.
"a safety bicycle" said the bicycle e1-
pert, sis much safer than tricycle.. An
accident to a lady on q tricycle. is apt to be
much more disastrous and more mcrtify-
ing than on bicycle. The tricycle. takes
up more room, and is not so easily con-
trollsd A tricycle. is apt to be upset in
turning a corner suddenly. A rider is al
most helpless in such catastrophe, and
gets considerably mixed up in the wheels
and different parts of the machine
b cycle by the very nature o: the principles
on which it depends is not goirg TO fall SO
long as it il kept in motion. II rider gets
into o bad or dangerous place, by putting
The break on she can come to q stsnGsti'l.
The machine will then fall over to one eide
or the other, but the riders feet are within
a few inches Of the ground aud BIZ pntting
her foot ont she can arrest her fall. Ies, l
am very sure the ladies' bicycle will tGko
we'll. A serious accident at the start
might, of course, check enthusiasm for n
time From the inquiries have received
il is evident that many ladies Of good 60
cial position here are not only thinking of
the bicycle, but are eager to make start.
There is really no more improperly in
riding bicycle than tricycle.. In fsct
on that score the preference should be
given, l think, TO the bicycle, for, as /
said, they are less liable to accidents of q
kind that might subject woman to NOR
tifcation.
"What ought to be under stood, how
ever" said the bicycle man, ia that no
woman should attempt to ride bicycle
miles, she is suitably cOstumsd Women
who want TO ride bicycles should have an
interest in this The appearauce on the
street OF woman bicyclsSt with a. hustle
on would tend 10 bring the whole business
into disrepute. Wbetisa proper costume?
Well, q lady rider should he dressed plain
" in costume Of flannel, Ike an
cGuestrienne habit, without, however,
ha2ing the extra length of skirt,
IL should be made of flannel or some ma
terisl of heavy texture that wOnld fall
or drape gracefully 10 tie feet. She should
have no hustle, and not be tied or strapped
up to such ~ extent "a to prevent the
utmost freedom in The use of every muscle.
Oae reason why think women will like
bicycles is that graceful woman cannot
find any pace where the grace tn her
figure and her movements will he shown
TO better advantage than on bicycle.
At first, l suppose, ladies will go out
bicycle riding in clubs attended by gentle
men on tandems. Ia this way the ice
will be broken.
SIS it healthful ?" repeated the bicycle
dealer, rather scorniully. We'll, if there
is a man or woman with dyspepsia I'll
guarantee 10 cure the malady with the
bicycle. If there is man who says he
csnnot get but an hours sleep at night,
I'll guarantee that, after riding bicycle
q week, he'll slept rine hours, or I'll
pay him S. a night. 1t is one of the
surest cuIes for rheumatism. 1 don't
know much about such things, but l
am sure that anything that sets the blood
in rapid circulation, makes one breathe
freely the fresh outdoor air and gives one
an appetite, is the best medicine one Can
take. II there is anything wrong in any
part of the system the rapid circulation Of
blood, purified by the fresh air in the lungs,
ouoht soon to repair the damage. / know