Explore the fascinating story of the bicycle boom during the late 1800s, a pivotal moment that not only transformed transportation but also became a symbol of women’s rights and independence. This video delves into how bicycles empowered women, offering a newfound freedom and challenging societal norms.

Discover the controversy surrounding the “Bloomer girls,” women who defied traditional dress codes by wearing practical bloomer pants while riding, sparking outrage from anti-women newspapers. These publications not only disapproved of women cycling but also published crude drawings depicting female cyclists as over-indulgent, sunburnt, and generally unattractive. Ironically, these derogatory portrayals may have fueled the determination of many women to embrace cycling even more fervently, riding in defiance of societal expectations.

Quick Ideas for Using the Video with Students:
For Discussion:
1. Use the video as part of your study of Gilded Age and/or turn of the century America at the beginning of the 20th century. Ask students for their reaction to what the video says about the role of women in society at that time, how they were perceived by men and themselves, and what it says about the burgeoning “women’s rights” movement of the time.