Bicycles were very popular in the late Victorian era because they had a new design, were safer, more comfortable and more accessible. More and more men and women used bicycles as a means of transportation, and the so-called a new woman and her bicycle became a 19th century phenomenon, writes "Amazing Women in History".

What is particularly interesting about the nineties of the 19th century is the strong effect that the bicycle had on the liberation of women. Cycling has given new freedom to women who until then had been largely restricted from moving around the home.

The "new" woman was strong and independent. She rode a bicycle, wore special costumes as a bloomer and became a symbol of gender equality and redefined femininity.

Different models of bicycles were invented during the 19th century, but most of them were dangerous to ride and were considered more of a novelty than a means of transportation. They were mostly ridden by rich young men, and high-end tires from the early 19th century were considered unsuitable for ladies.

The eighties of the 19th century brought a safer bicycle with chains like modern bicycles and allowed the seat to be lower for easier parking. In this and the next decade, bicycles were mass-produced, which contributed to lower prices. In those days, people could buy quality bicycles for less than $ 100.

The new safety bicycle has brought unprecedented independence and freedom to women. Women, who were practically locked in their homes, could now move wherever and whenever they wanted, without having to depend on men.

Women like the suffragette Amelia Blumer tried to promote dress reform, but could not resist the fashion. But as bicycles became so popular, women turned to more practical dresses. Corsets and heavy, layered skirts that were a must-have fashion at the time were impossible to ride on a bicycle. Women finally started wearing blouses, short dresses and more relaxed corsets.

The "new" woman and her bicycle became a common theme for cartoonists in the 19s and XNUMXs. Critics have argued that they are breaking up the community and their household, abandoning their husbands and children. It has always been suggested that women who wear blooms and ride bicycles are just sex workers or lesbians.

Doctors have even warned women that cycling is harmful to their health, that they are too gentle and sensitive to the effort required to ride a bicycle, and that frequent cycling can damage internal organs and lead to infertility or death. The clergy preached against women who rode bicycles, and women on bicycles were often described as "disgusting." However, the popularity of the bicycle continued to grow until the early 20th century when cars appeared.