From "A List of Don’ts for Women on Bicycles Circa 1895"

January 3, 2012

From "A List of Don’ts for Women on Bicycles Circa 1895"

I bike places, and man, I must have violated 5 or 6 of these rules so far. THIS IS FANTASTIC. But: dear other ladies who ride, we should definitely NOT leave bicycle slang for the boys.

questionabletastetheatre:

Don’t be a fright.

Don’t faint on the road.

Don’t wear a man’s cap.

Don’t forget your toolbag.

Don’t cultivate a “bicycle face.”

Don’t wear laced boots. They are tiresome.

Don’t wear white kid gloves. Silk is the thing.

Don’t imagine everybody is looking at you.

Don’t use bicycle slang. Leave that to the boys.

Don’t go out after dark without a male escort.

Don’t scratch a match on the seat of your bloomers.

Don’t discuss bloomers with every man you know.

Don’t try to ride in your brother’s clothes “to see how it feels.”

Don’t cultivate everything that is up to date because yon ride a wheel.

Don’t emulate your brother’s attitude if he rides parallel with the ground.

Don’t appear to be up on “records” and “record smashing.” That is sporty. (x)