New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-14
WOMEN ON BICYCLES.
POPULARITY OF THE ENGLISH MACHINE
EASY TO LEARN, SAFE TO RIDE AND EXCEED
INGLY LIGHT TO PRoPEL.

EASY TO LEARN, SAFE TO RIDE AND EXCEED
INGLY LIGHT TO PRoPEL.
On almost any pleasant morning this spring one or
two women may be spinning though Central PARK
bicycles, with much grace and skin as most men
who ride on tho wheel. The bicycle ridden by
women is an English machine. which has only re-
Gently become known in this country. There are as
yet not than dozen women in this country who
have learned 10 ride 1t, aud nearly all OF them live
in NeyeYork or Brooklyn The machine Is true
bicycle OF the type known a. tho "safety," which
within the last two years has become popular among
men, Since the Central Park roads were opened to
all bicycles and tricycleS two years ago. great many
women have entered into the sport Of riding trcycles
and some Of the moro courageous accompany their
escorts on andems7 but of tho stage the idea OF
woman riding bicycle L. still a novelty, and there
she mounts Of the large wheels which are as diff
cult To- manage as a FESTIVE colt and which only
athletic riders have attempted
The new bicycle IS likely to revolutioniIe some OF
the prevailing ideas this subject, and in few
years women who "cycle7 for health and pleasure
may become as numerous men. The objections TO
the tricycle. for women the same that have been
made by men, but with more reason The llghtest
machine with its three wheels and abundant gearing
Will weigh seventy pounds. and the friction and toll
working It the smoothest roads are so great as
10 tax an athletic man. while the effort IS too much
for most women to continue for any length Of time
The new machine for women, which as yet has only
been made in England. weighs but thlrty.ave pounds
and when American manufacturers begin to make It
n Is expected that the weight viii be reduced further
by several pounds.
The rider steps into her seat between the wheels
without having TO sit astrlde, or sideways. on
horseback A downward curve In the bar which con,
meets the wheels forms the support. and the feet arc
only a few feet above the ground the pedals and
can DO quickly lifted FROM Them In of need
Women who ride them wear the usual equestrian
costume and after few trials rider learns 10 balance
her little vehicle and dIreca It readily maa
can The pioneer woman rider on this new steed
IN Ne%-York and In the United States IS said to DO
Mrs. John Oakley, Of Brooklyn, who brought one OF
the first that made to New.York early last sum
mer and began to exercise on It daily for her health.
Miss Pauline Hall, the actress when she saw IT, sent
to Europe for another for the same purpose. and she
now takes It with her all the country. Mrs.
j. Reddlng, editor OF The Art Journal is one OF
the most skfu riders In the city, aud the long trips
she has TAKEN on her machine since lastfa have made
her familiar with all the suburban roads within twenty
lyo miles OF the city. Mrs Cassett, Mrs. L. A. New
come and Mrs Stewart Smith among the Others
who have taken riding the bicycle for recreation
and health
one woman who Is good equestrian said that
she derived far more pleasure nom her bicycle than
from horseback riding. A woman Is no longer
dependent on a man for an escort' she added WHOM
she learns to ride a bicycle. One or two or three
women I'm a party get far more exercise III
ten-mlle trip In this than In any other way ana Win
scarcely any fatigue AS for speed, can easily
make ten miles an hour good road without
rreat exortion On a pleasant morning step into
my seat aud rlde once twice around the PARK
before | begin my work; that Is tonic for the day
one circuit around the drives IS fully six miles ana
do 1t easily within halt all hour, 50 you sec VIC c1i
spn along quite nicely" -, ,, A..
A number vi women said to DO preparing 20
ride The bicycle this spring and another year VIII
p obaby bring American machines in the market
George r. Bdwell, who Is one Ot the bicycle authOri
ties SAYS that the wOmans bicycle Is one Vi
ths most perfect lptle vehicles which has yet been
made, lie thinks the demand for them VIII conpol
American manufacturers To turn Their Ingenuity III
this direction In another year.