On The Track in Battersea Park

This illustration, cleverly captioned, "Where there's a wheel there's a way," shows another example of "The New Woman." Similar to the Gibson illustration, this woman is shown head-on, riding a bicycle, and her loose skirt flows freely about her. The bicycle served not only as a way for women to travel together and connect, but also expanded the things they could do alone. The bicycle served as an image of women's emancipation. Of course, clothing had to reflect this new activity, which is why the pleating in the back of women's skirts began to happen.  

Various. PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. Vol. 107, Punch Publications Ltd., Etc., London. 1894.

Associated Place(s)

Event date:

11 Aug 1894