One journalist in the 1890's
called female cyclists "wheelwomen".
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
As one protagonist said
"A most exciting and delightful mode of travel".
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An unidentified rider - does anyone know who this is?
Anne Brotherston at Charterhall
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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.
Anne Brotherston on her brother's bike in East End Woods.
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| Beatrice Notman (Bea) of Kidgate ******************  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 ******************
Sources of Information:
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