Of Wheelmen, the New Woman, and Good Roads: Bicycling 1880-1920

University of Vermont Professor Luis Vivanco explores the fascinating early history of the bicycle in Vermont. During the 1890's, enthusiasm exploded statewide as bicycles became safer, women took to the wheel, roads improved, and retailers developed novel advertising techniques. Although popular interest waned, the bicycle was tied to important changes in industrial production, consumerism, road policies, gender relations and new cultural ideas about auto-mobility and effortless speed.