New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-17
WOMAN AND THE BICYCLE.
QUESTION 80 LONGER OPEN FOR
DISCUSSION.

ADVANTAGES OF CYCLING FOR wOMEN-THE
PROBLEM OF DRESS AND ITS MANY SOLUTIONS
The question shall woman ride the bicycle" Is
no longer open for discussion. She has settled IL
for herself afIlrmatively And all that men can
find to say against II will not affect the result one
whit. except. perhaps. In strengthening her deter
mination-that being the general effect Of opposi-
ton upon the feminine mind She Is perfectly
right in possessing herself OF this pleasure. Moth
ing is at 50 innocent delightful and beneficial
10 her health And the consideration is not unim-
porant that Is an exercise very becoming TO her.
Rarely does one see a woman emulating the
graceful back humping. toadlike attitude that men
too often affect when "whrellng' She sits erect;
the exercise and the stimulus OF the fresh air bring
a charming color her cheeks and brilliant
sparkle to her eye: the exhilaration Of spirits
naturally resultant from easy and rapid motion
give her a look OF happiness that Is fascinating;
and her movements are replete with grace. Not
horseback does she show 10 such advan-
tage when upon the bicycle. Indeed. no other
outdoor sport at all compare with this. Tennis
is good for her health. doubt, but distance Is
requisite to make pleasing spectacle OF the tennis
playing girl Croquet IS Of course better than
crochetng. but consists too largely Of standing
around and unimproving conversations; further
more. II is ont OF fashion now. Golf-as shiny
is now called-may have its commendabe points
q exercise. ike Indian clubs or bea bag pitch
ing. but be played only in the country under
exceptional circumstances. And each Of those
games restrict the players 10 limited field OF ac-
ton where recurrence Of Ike experiences tends In
evitably to monotony and disgust. They oner
nothing - compare in attraction with the glorious
sense Of freedom with development Of conscious
power In almost blrl,ike Night among ever-chang-
Ing scenes and conditions. which the oicycist
enjoys. Sea -blthing? All. yes; when the beach is
good thu water pleasant and one IS very good
swimmer. that IL certainly delightful.
But II you are going TO find Objectionable the
costume Of the bicycle Sirl-and that Is seriously
all tina, anybody has found TO urge with even
seeming intelligence against women riding wheels
how atrocious your prudsh soul must find the
bathing dress, After all. III, quality OF propriety
in attire IS tho product OF educated imagination.
and some are capable Of finding extremely shock
ing under given conditions precisely that which
they would admire without thought OF impropre-
IS. under other and leetmate,y more trying cir
cumsiances. Comfort. convenience and attractive
ness are important factors IN determining what
should be approved In feminine costume FOR any
occasion. and tho woman herself being necessarily
the best Informed in those PARTICULARS. Is entitled
- settl. the question. Only few years ago. IN
this country the wearing q trousers even under a
long riding skirt. was denounced by many foolish
,o-s,na- especially those who were not riiers-ls
indecent, But women quickly found that tho
trousers were not only safer and more comfort
able than skirts but were very often conservative
OF rolesty and today one even notices lazy
g,,ng hy 70 or from a riding school In conspicu-
ouslv evident trousers and wiki her riding SKIRT
conveniently thrown over her arm. The woman
settled N. quest. n t. suit herself and the world
6 informing to the precedent Of the ages-acc"pt"i
her decs.on ~ final 81 II Will be In determining
u,ha, should be- worn by a modest bcyc,ist. WHAT
~. woman nuls best for her, from mr. point of
view. that sac VII wear.