Wheel Women of Earlston

One journalist in the 1890's 
called female cyclists   "wheelwomen". 

Christina  (Tinnie) Notman  of Kidgate.  

The photograph was taken on the A68 with Roosevelt Place seen in the background.

The introduction of the "safety bicycle" in the 1890's led to a hey day for leisure cycling,  For women, cycling  came to represent a freedom they had not experienced before and the activity quickly became associated with the wider movement of  women's emancipation.   

But there  were public outcries at the prospect of these  changes in the social norm,  with much of the criticism focusing on women's dress - notably the new style of bloomers and knickerbockers. These  offered more freedom for movement than women's  usual restrictive dresses, and cycling  fashions became the subject of ridicule in cartoons.

   

 

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Newspapers of the day  abounded  with letters,  articles  and reports  on  the vision of women riding around the countryside.   

In 1894 the Society of Cyclists calling for  "Rational Dress for  Wheelwomen"

An angry  letter condemned "a young woman who spends most of her time in riding  on a man's bicycle, has a good deal to learn in respect of simplicity and neatness of attire", and  one clergyman refused to give communion to women who turned up for church in bloomers or knickerbockers.  

However some  doctors said firmly that, " as those best qualified to judge, they were almost unanimous in declaring that the average standard of health among women, who cycle had shown an appreciable elevation."

So this was the image portrayed in advertisements and posters that conveyed a sense of fun and freedom, with illustrations of happy cyclist  enjoying the fresh air and exercise.  

As one protagonist said 

"A  most exciting and delightful mode of travel".  

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Women in Earlston were not going to be left behind in  enjoying this new activity and cycling quickly grew in popularity.   

 Leaving the Egg Packing Station,   1950's

Sandra Wylie, c.1953

But if pundits frowned upon the first women cyclists, what would they have made of the move onto motor cycles?  

 Minnie Silver, 1920's.

An unidentified rider - does anyone know who this is?

Anne Brotherston at Charterhall 

Anne Brotherston on her brother's bike  in East End Woods.

Beatrice Notman (Bea) of  Kidgate

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Image courtesy of Pixabay


With thanks to everyone who has donated  these photographs 
of Earlston's  women cyclists. 

We would love to hear from you, if you have any photographs 
that can be added to the Auld Earlston collection.
The photographs  can be scanned, copied and returned to you. 

Please contact:  Te/:  01896 848240.  E-Mail:  auldearlston@aol.com 


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Sources of Information:

• British Newspapers 1710-1963 
• History of Women on Wheels
• Wikipedia -  Bicycling and Feminism