The bicycle, a vehicle for women's liberation? Absolutely! March 8th marks International Women's Day. We thought it was a great opportunity to recall this glorious emancipation. Jean-François Nadeau, a journalist and historian by training, tells us about some of its defining moments.
Late 19th century: women who practiced the new sport of cycling were suspected of being immoral, deeply immoral.
In 1893, Montreal feminist Joséphine Marchand-Dandurand commented very favorably on changes in women's clothing in America. She believed that abandoning the crinoline contributed to the necessary simplification of women's attire, which she saw as "a work of sanitation and a social benefit" that would free women's movements. Even though the bicycle was one of the biggest incentives for these sartorial changes, Joséphine Marchand-Dandurand nevertheless opposed it.
Nevertheless, the bicycle played a brilliant role in liberating women from their usual social constraints. In 1895, in the women's newspaper Le Coin du feu , an advertisement stated that, "to have a beautiful complexion, beautiful eyes and a graceful figure, women must get a lot of exercise in the fresh air, preferably on a bicycle, because it is cheaper than a horse and much more pleasant than walking."
The bicycle was already very popular among women in England, France, and major American cities, including Montreal. "We see the amazons of mechanics on our beautiful avenues and in the paths of Royal Park. There is no doubt that such an enjoyable pastime will take root here."
A doctor from the Academy of Medicine believed that cycling was good for women, but still recommended moderation, as in all things, not knowing what effect this intense activity could ultimately have if practiced by women in their thirties who, he regretted, had not exercised since childhood.
In 1893, a British businessman had the idea of organizing bicycle endurance races for women in France. He found unknown young female athletes in France and had them compete for six days, three hours a day. Among this group of pioneers was Hélène Dutrieux. She broke the world track record in 1895 and earned the nickname "human arrow" by winning the unofficial title of world speed champion in the following two years.
Also in 1895, women's races were held in London for 29 days, which gives an idea of the intensity of the competitions for women. So many women participated that sections had to be created and a scoring system established to ensure comparisons. For example, 100-mile races were organized for women.
Did you know that, disguised as a man, a woman participated in the Giro d'Italia? That was in 1924. Her name was Alfonsina Strada. To this day, her story seems to be unique in the major tours .
In 1929, in Montreal, the son of a famous cycling family, Albert Gachon, complained about having to race against girls in his first race and... losing!
PHOTO: Excerpt from Le Petit Journal, Montreal, June 18, 1933
