The truly ground-breaking change in women's athletics arrived in the form of the bicycle. Articles abounded on the unladylike-ness of this contraption, and warned women of serious health consequences to its use. However, such warnings were blithely ignored and by the mid 1890's, cycling became a true "craze" amongst Victorian women. But cycling didn't just represent a woman's ability to participate in something sporting or athletic. It provided a new range of inexpensive transportation: one no longer had to maintain a horse (and a groom) simply to travel distances that were too far to walk. Women's fashions also needed to adapt to the use of the cycle. This simple device that we take for granted today was, in fact, a vehicle of emancipation for the Victorian woman!

Lessons in Bicycle Riding (Collier's Cyclopedia, 1882)

The Tricycle: A Means of Obtaining Health and Enjoyment (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1882)

The Games and Amusements of the Month: September

La Crosse; baseball; tricycle-riding.

How to Form a Tricycle Club, by J. Eaton Fearn (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1884)

Women on Wheels, by a Lady Cyclist (Girl's Own Paper, 1885)

"Four years ago a woman on wheels was a rare and conspicuous sight; but today there are few parts of the UK where a tricycling maid or matron excites any wonder..."

The Evolution of the Cycle (The Strand, 1892B)

"Let us... amuse ourselves by contemplating the various extinct species [of bicycle]--those developments which have somehow taken the wrong turning in the course of evolution, have then stopped, and, as rare fossils, are now only looked at as rarities and curiosities." Judging by the illustrations of these precursors of our bicycle, we should be grateful that they did, indeed, stop!

Bicycle Problems and Benefits (Century Magazine, 1895B)

On the need, especially in cities like New York, to provide roads and pathways for bicycles to avoid collisions with vehicles.

The Experiences of a Lady Cyclist, by C. Everett Green (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1895)

The Reign of the Bicycle (Century Magazine, 1895A)

Is it a passing whim, or here to stay? The author points out that in many small towns, it has become a necessity.

Advice to Girl-Cyclists, by Lillias Campbell Davidson (Girl's Own Paper, 1896)

"She should not dress in a style to excite undue notice, or make her pastime unattractive in the eyes of outsiders... If... she looks loud, fast, and simply a fright, she is doing [the sport] infinite harm, and prejudicing all sensible people against it."

Athletics for Ladies, by B. Fletcher Robinson (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1896)

Cycle, Bicyle or Racycle Riders (Toilettes, 1896)

This is actually a full-page advertisement - but it's packed with tips and "rules of the road" for cyclists.

The Bicycle Outlook, by Isaac B. Potter (Century Magazine, 1896B)

A look at the evolution of cycling in the US and abroad, along with changes to roads, customs, culture, railroad regulations and more - all due to the bicycle!

Cycling: As a Pastime and for Health, by Gordon Stables, M.D., R.N. (Girl's Own Paper, 1896)

The Cycling Craze, by A.T. Schofield, MD (Girl's Own Paper, 1896)

"The tricycle is obviously a safe and useful machine for the exercise of ladies; but with regard to the bicycle, there are as many objections as spokes in its wheels."

The Dress for Bicycling, by Dora de Blaquière (Girl's Own Paper, 1896)

How I Learned to Bicycle, by Constance Hastings (Girl's Own Paper, 1896)

It's hard to imagine that, at one time, women were told that it was unsafe, unhealthy and unnatural to ride bikes. (Fortunately, they did not listen...)

To Cyclists: Amenities of the Road, by Ernest Bowden (Girl's Own Paper, 1896)

"Give warning at considerable distance before overtaking passengers; and if your warning is not heeded, repeat it. People are sometimes deaf, or dreaming, or making love."

The Cycle: How to Keep and Clean It (Girl's Own Paper, 1897)

Includes a lovely diagram of the parts of the bicycle.

Dangers and Benefits of the Bicycle, by A.L. Benedict, M.D. (Century Magazine, 1897B)

Our Girls A-Wheel, by N.G. Bacon (Girl's Own Paper, 1897)

"We are filled with respect and wonder concerning the grand old pioneers, who so bravely fought the way towards cycledom."

Ten Years of Cycling, by Robert Machray (Windsor Magazine, 1897B)

The evolution of the bicycle, focusing particularly in the development of the "Safety" model with its rear-wheel drive.

Bicycling to Health and Fortune, by Lawrence Liston, MD (Girl's Own Paper, 1898)

A Charity Gymkhana: How to Arrange and Manage It (Girl's Own Paper, 1898)

Forget horses; this is a gymkhana for bicycles!

How to Form a Girls' Cycling Club (Girl's Own Paper, 1898)

Decorated Bicycles, by Harold Shepstone (Windsor Magazine, 1899B)

A look at some amazing competitions for decorated bicycles in England and Europe.

Methods of Mounting for Girl Cyclists, by Mrs. Egbert Norton (Girl's Own Paper, 1899)

Our Mutual Friend the "Bike," by Gordon Stables, M.D., R.N. (Girl's Own Paper, 1899)

American v. British Cycles, by N.G. Bacon (Girl's Own Paper, 1900)

Cycle Gymkhanas: How to Prepare and Practice for Them, by N.G. Bacon (Girl's Own Paper, 1900)

Cycle Polo, by N.G. Bacon (Girl's Own Paper, 1900)

Fancy Cycling, by Isabel Marks (Girl's Own Paper, 1900)

"Trick-riding is a form of cycling which only requires to be known to be appreciated." Tricks include hands-free riding, double-riding, "skating," skipping through a hoop and more.

Free-Wheel Cycles, by N.G. Bacon (Girl's Own Paper, 1900)

This appears to be the development of bicycles that are able to coast without one having to constantly propel the pedals.

Bicycle Worries and How to Cope with Them, by L. Lawrence Liston, MD (Girl's Own Paper, 1901)

Health, by Gordon Stables, M.D., R.N. (Girl's Own Paper, 1901)

This article has an interesting section on the health aspects of cycling, along with questions about women as cyclists, emancipation, etc.

The Jones-Hilliard Bicycle Sensation, by Tertius Carr (Strand, 1901B)

A spectacular demonstration of hands-free cycling by Charles Jones.

• See also Women in Sports for other "should they or shouldn't they?" controversies.