Lady Cyclists' Association
Encyclopedia
The Lady Cyclists' Association was the United Kingdom
's - and probably the world's - first cycling
organisation expressly for women, set up to provide rides, tours and social gatherings for women cyclists.
. Its headquarters were at 35 Victoria Street
, London
. The annual membership fee was three shillings and sixpence.
It was affiliated to the National Cyclists' Union
, which was a sporting
rather than leisure organisation. Some of its members wore 'rational dress' and advocated women's right to wear comfortable clothing while cycling.
The organisation published a handbook (priced 4d
), containing details of reasonably priced places to stay while cycle touring, and a monthly journal, the Lady Cyclists' Association News.
The founder and early driving force of the association was Miss Lillias Campbell Davidson, who saw cycling as a path to the emancipation of women from restictions imposed by society, opining that cycling offered "the greatest boon that has come to women for many a long day". Davidson was the author of the best-selling Hints to Lady Travellers (1889) and later the Handbook for Lady Cyclists (1896). She also wrote the ladies' column in the Cyclists' Touring Club Gazette.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's - and probably the world's - first cycling
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
organisation expressly for women, set up to provide rides, tours and social gatherings for women cyclists.
History
The association was established in 1892, just 12 years after the admission of the first woman into the 'Bicycle Touring Club', later renamed the Cyclists' Touring ClubCyclists' Touring Club
CTC and the UK's national cyclists' organisation are the trading names of the Cyclists' Touring Club.CTC is the United Kingdom's largest cycling membership organisation. It also has member groups in the Republic of Ireland...
. Its headquarters were at 35 Victoria Street
Victoria, London
Victoria is a commercial and residential area of inner city London, lying wholly within the City of Westminster, and named after Queen Victoria....
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The annual membership fee was three shillings and sixpence.
It was affiliated to the National Cyclists' Union
National Cyclists' Union
The National Cyclists' Union was an association established in the Guildhall Tavern, London, on 16 February 1878 as the Bicycle Union. Its purpose was to defend cyclists and to organise and regulate bicycle racing in Great Britain...
, which was a sporting
Bicycle racing
Bicycle racing is a competition sport in which various types of bicycles are used. There are several categories of bicycle racing including road bicycle racing, cyclo-cross, mountain bike racing, track cycling, BMX, bike trials, and cycle speedway. Bicycle racing is recognised as an Olympic sport...
rather than leisure organisation. Some of its members wore 'rational dress' and advocated women's right to wear comfortable clothing while cycling.
The organisation published a handbook (priced 4d
Penny (British pre-decimal coin)
The penny of the Kingdom of Great Britain and later of the United Kingdom, was in circulation from the early 18th century until February 1971, Decimal Day....
), containing details of reasonably priced places to stay while cycle touring, and a monthly journal, the Lady Cyclists' Association News.
The founder and early driving force of the association was Miss Lillias Campbell Davidson, who saw cycling as a path to the emancipation of women from restictions imposed by society, opining that cycling offered "the greatest boon that has come to women for many a long day". Davidson was the author of the best-selling Hints to Lady Travellers (1889) and later the Handbook for Lady Cyclists (1896). She also wrote the ladies' column in the Cyclists' Touring Club Gazette.
See also
- Cyclists' Touring ClubCyclists' Touring ClubCTC and the UK's national cyclists' organisation are the trading names of the Cyclists' Touring Club.CTC is the United Kingdom's largest cycling membership organisation. It also has member groups in the Republic of Ireland...
(CTC) - National Cyclists' UnionNational Cyclists' UnionThe National Cyclists' Union was an association established in the Guildhall Tavern, London, on 16 February 1878 as the Bicycle Union. Its purpose was to defend cyclists and to organise and regulate bicycle racing in Great Britain...
- Western Rational Dress Society