Women On Wheels: The Scandalous Untold History of Women in Bicycling from the 1880s to the 1980s

(Paperback)

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A feminist history of bicycling for sport and adventure spans a century of women who changed the world from two wheels

This vivacious tale, peppered with fascinating details from primary sources, shows how women were sometimes the stars of bicycle races and exhibitions, and other times had to overcome sexism, exclusion, and economic inequalities in order to ride. From the almost burlesque show races and creative performances of the 19th century to the evolution of cycling as a modern sport and form of transportation, April Streeter conveys the evolving emotional resonance of bicycling for women and their communities

Reviews

[Review Quote] ""Ever since bicycles were invented, women have been riding them, for sport, fun, entertainment, and revolution. April Streeter's careful research and spirited writing capture the wild, weird, wonderful, and serious story of bicycling through the perspective of these highly skilled riders whose stories have been all but lost to history--until now."" - Elly Blue, author of Bikenomics and Everyday Bicycling [Review Quote] ""Comprehensive, well researched, and inquisitive, Women on Wheels is a revelation about the perseverance of women determined to cycle despite being shut out, too often, by men. Wheels opens with Streeter wondering why cycling in her bike friendly town of Portland, Oregon had become so competitive. Where was the joy Where does a woman who "wants only to ride," fit in a testosterone-heavy field of Lance Armstrong wanna-be's And we are off, as readers, on the adventure of the history of cycling from the point of view of women and their efforts to participate on their own terms. Inspiring, maddening, and thought provoking, Wheels asks important questions about this necessary mode of transportation and invites us to rethink our own attitudes about using two wheels instead of four."" - Jennifer Lauck, author of the NYT bestseller Bluebird

Author Bio

April Streeter writes and bikes from Portland, Oregon. Her career has included five years as correspondent for Sweden, Norway, and the Baltic nations for Windpower Monthly magazine, two years as managing editor for Sustainable Industries magazine, and many years as correspondent of Tomorrow magazine and blogger for TreeHugger.com. She's also on Instagram @womenonwheels.