A Collection of Twelve Photographs of a Women’s Cycling Club, c. 1890s

Location Unknown, Possibly Britain, 1890. Twelve sepia-toned silver photographs, most ost 3 3/16 x 4 3/16 in. Some light curling and foxing, good to very good overall. Good. Female cycling clubs flourished in the late Victorian age, particularly in England. The clubs offered women a chance to travel in greater safety than would be possible traveling alone. Women had been involved in cycling since the sport’s inception, though they were discouraged from riding high-wheelers and instead were encouraged to ride tricycles. The introduction of the Safety bicycle increased women’s access to the sport, and also a proliferation of cycling clubs in the 1890s, some with social or political affiliations. This group shows a cycling club ride, mostly composed of women, though some men are present, and gives an intimate view of cycling club culture of the time.