by N@talie

The invention of the modern bicycle in the mid 1800s changed the face of Britain forever by expanding the gene pool for rural workers, dramatically increasing the distance people were able to travel to their employment and emancipating women.

Before the invention of the bicycle, a suitor’s courting radius was limited to about 5 miles in any direction on the one day a week he had off, or a mile or so of an evening. The bicycle expanded these distance by about fourfold, reducing the incidence of inbreeding in rural communities - and confounding the work of modern genealogist! Indeed, in a time when a horse was the fastest method of transport, a beau on a bicycle would surely have had as much kudos with many young ladies as a beau in a flashy sports car would have today!

In towns and cities, a bicycle could increase the distance a worker could travel to employment without the expense of owning a horse. This contributed to the rise of the suburbs and the opportunity for people to live in single-family dwellings. In rural areas the bicycle also enabled workers to travel greater distances to employment thereby increasing their employment prospects.

In the late 19th century bicycles became very popular amongst women, giving them unprecedented mobility and a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. This popularity also contributed to the demise of corsets, full length heavy skirts and other restricting garments and the rise in popularity of comfortable and practical divided skirts and bloomers which promised a modesty-intact ride. The popularity of bicycling among women also saw the end of the chaperone: ladies, and even young girls, started riding alone or accompanied by friends – or even suitors! The bicycle was quickly adopted by feminists and suffragettes as a “freedom machine” for women.

In terms of speed and distance travelled vs. energy consumed, the bicycle is the most energy efficient vehicle yet invented. It can enable the cyclist to travel three or four times as fast and as far as walking, with very little maintenance – unlike a horse or car. Recent studies have demonstrated that the CO2 generated in the production and transportation of the food required by the bicyclist, per mile travelled, is less than 1/10th that generated by energy efficient cars.

HG Wells once wrote “Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race.” I agree.