Adverts for the bicycle, the velocipedes, began to appear in NZ newspapers in 1869

Two-wheelers were called 'bicycle' & three-wheelers were called 'tricycle'

1886: A velocipede was also known as a boneshaker bicycle

Construction was an iron frame, wooden wheels, & cranks & pedals on the front wheel.

On 17 July 1869, first velocipede (a tricycle) was imported into Wanganui & other orders had been placed

'We hear it is intended to have races when there are a sufficient number of them."

In 1880s, penny-farthings bicycles with a large front wheel & much smaller back wheel became popular

In late 1880s, the safety bicycle was invented with smaller wheels, and tyres which were filled with air

This style of bicycle became popular for men as well as for women

Cycling clubs had first emerged in the late 1870s in NZ for recreational & social activities

Canterbury Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club members racing on the track at Lancaster Park (1885)

However, women could only belong by being part of the 'ladies branch' of male cycling clubs

On 18 Aug 1892, a group of cyclists met in Christchurch to establish an all-women's club - a first for Australasia

The meeting was chaired by the Bicycle Touring Club's male Captain (Mr R. P. Clarkson)

The name 'Atalanta Cycling Club' was proposed by Alice Burn, who later became the new club's secretary

Atalanta was a huntress, warrior and athlete whose name derives from the Greek 'atalantos' which means 'equal in weight'

Newspaper article reported the names of the new club's officers

Captain (Miss Blanche Lough), Sub-Capt (Miss Keating), Hon. Secretary (Mrs Alice Burn) & Hon. Treasurer (Miss Barker)

Committee members were suffragist Mrs Kate Sheppard, Miss Bertha Lough & Miss F Adams

The auditors were Mr R. P. Clarkson and Miss Cabot

The Otago Witness newspaper reported, "The rules of the Bicycle Touring Club were adopted with slight amendments."

In the 1880s, the ‘safety bicycle’ had been invented which had a lower frame and pneumatic wheels

This enabled the wearing of skirts & petticoats; however, this was not always as easy as the wearing of trousers

When mounting a bike by placing the right foot on the pedal, the skirt usually falls between her foot & pedal

Cyclist had to try to disengage the skirt with her foot as both hands are holding onto the handlebar

When type of cycling uniform to be worn was discussed at inaugural Atalanta meeting, the men proposed women wear skirts

However, the women favoured wearing rational dress - knickerbockers or bloomers

Knickerbockers were already being worn by American women for other sporting events

The attire, as worn by the Club's secretary Alice Burn, received a mixed reaction from members of the public

Knickerbockers or bloomers were seen by many men & women as too masculine and/or too similar to women’s underwear

The women cyclists would receive verbal abuse & have stones hurled at them

One of the brothers of the Club's Captain Blanche often accompanied the women to deter hostile actions

Club meeting (Sept 1982) decided not to rule on cut or colour of attire as long as cream was conspicuous in the dress

Club colours (navy blue & gold) to be worn. Atalanta brooch suggested. (There were 25 active members & 4 men honorary)

Atalanta Club wore club colours during opening procession of cycling season on 8 Oct 1892

Hats had a bow of navy blue & old gold, & they "wore a handsome monogram shaped like a brooch" with the word "Atalanta"

Messrs Achms, Curties, and Co., of Christchurch were building an ellipse-frame ladies' safety bicycle (Oct 1892)

The bicyle was being especially built for "Mrs Burn, the secretary of the Atalanta Cycling Club"

March 1893: Announced that Mrs Burn had resigned as Hon. Secretary as was leaving Christchurch

Miss Barker was appointed Hon. Secretary & Treasurer

1 July 1893: Misses Walker, from Christchurch in cycling costume, as part of the dress reform movement

Kate Walker & (future husband) James Wilkinson wrote "Notes on dress reform and what it implies", 1893

July 1893: Lecture on dress reform movement delivered to the Oamaru Girls' Club by Mrs Alice Burn

Burn was invited by Dress & Athletics Section of Canterbury Women's Institute to popularise the dress reform movement

14 May 1894: Meeting held in Christchurch to form New Zealand Rational Dress Association (NZRDA)

President, Mrs Alice Burn; Vice-President, Kate Wilkinson (née Walker); Secretary, Miss Meredith; Treasurer, Mrs Ingram

President Alice Burn wasn't allowed by Canterbury College Board of Governors to wear rational dress to lectures in 1894

Vice-President Kate Walker had worn breeches and a veil for her wedding to Wilkinson on 13 January 1894

NZRDA's aim: "bringing about of that change in women's dress which her wider-life and increased activity seem to demand"

Aim was to encourage wearing of trousers or knickers as outerwear, or at least as underwear

2nd Atalanta AGM held 27 Sept 1894. New Captain (Miss Atkinson) & 15 members present. Club colours to be altered.

Club in flourishing condition socially & financially. Colours to be altered from navy blue & gold to cream & pale blue.

Article on the abuse that women cyclists have been receiving from men (12 Sept 1895)

Appropriate cycling attire for women raised in letter to the Editor of Otago Daily Times, 1895

Advocate for rational dress. "Women do not now call each other brazen hussies; they have long passed that silly stage."

Doctor's advice on appropriate cycling clothing to wear beneath a dress instead of an underskirt, 1896

Black equestrian tights preferable to the serge or tweed knickers. Underskirt hampers movement & flys out (ugly looking)

23 May 1896: Miss Lenahan, from Christchurch, "shows the popular, less restrictive, style of clothing"

This style of clothing was being adopted by female cyclists

23 May 1896: Miss Caro and Miss Laurance, from Christchurch, riding their bicycles

23 May 1896: "Miss Laurance, from Christchurch, as she rides her bicycle and shows the popular, less restrictive, style

Health benefits of cycling extolled & what to wear, including shoes instead of boots, Nov 1896

Doctor on the health benefits of cycling for women, Dec 1896

"Strongly commends the upright posture as against the curved or bend as hygienically and medically the best."

Opening season (8 Oct 1892): Four clubs invited to attend: Atalanta, Bicycle Touring, Pioneer & Porowhiti

Article (4 Oct) stated: "The lady cyclists of the Atalanta Club will, it is probable, muster in goodly numbers"

Dec 1892: Atalanta Club members attended the New Zealand Cash Amateur Bicycle Club's inaugural meeting

Cash prizes were presented to the winners of other teams at a social gathering held in Hobbs' Buildings

Picnic (May 1893): Atalanta Cycling Club & Kingeley Club invited by athletic section of Canterbury Women's Institute

About 20 attended - most went by tram to Sumner, & some by bicycle - one wearing a short skirt & others knickerbockers

4 Oct 1893: At a general meeting, decision made to hold future meetings in Hobbs' Buildings

Agreed to attend opening run of the season on Thursday 19 Oct, & accept the Mayor's invite to afternoon tea

1 Nov 1893: During summer months the Club will hold weekly runs on Wednesday evenings, & invite unattached lady riders

Agreed next meeting to be a musical evening"

Musical event (6 Dec 1893): Secretary of Atalanta Bicycle Club invited Christchurch Cycling Club to attend the event

At meeting on 14 Feb 1894, new Captain elected & a picnic was planned at Governor's Bay

Miss Atkinson elected Captain to replace Mrs Thompson who'd resigned

Picnic (24 Feb 1894): "The unusual sight of so many lady cyclists going round the hills created much interest."

En route to Governor's Bay "...when passing Raupaki the party was greeted by the Maoris with a hearty cheer"

Interclub outing (27 Sept 1894): Atalanta Club invited by Christchurch Cycling Club to opening run to New Brighton

Riders unattached to clubs also invited

Picnic on 9 Nov 1894: The Pioneer Bicycle Club held a picnic in conjunction with the Atalanta Cycling Club

Euchre match & dancing (16 Sept 1895): Club members held a gathering in Hobbs' Assembly Rooms

A couple of hours was spent on progressive euchre, followed by a dance in which about 30 couples took part

Interclub (3 Oct 1895): Atalanta to be invited by Christchurch Cycling Club's to its opening run on that day

Pioneer Bicycle Club to also be invited

17 June 1896: The annual ball of the Atalanta Cycling Club took place in Hobbs's Assembly Rooms, and was well attended"

28 Aug 1896: Pioneer Bicycle Club at its 18th AGM decided to allow Atalanta use of its club

Atalanta Cycling Club could use the club rooms from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on week days

Atalanta's AGM (Sept 1896) to discuss having a club room with a bike shed attached for ladies to use when shopping

This would reduce the risk of loss or damage from leaving bikes at shop doors & may encourage club membership

AGM (28 Sept 1896) was held at the Pioneer Bicycle Club & opening run to New Brighton was fixed for 3 Oct

Miss Atkinson elected captain, Miss Barker secretary, & Mrs Murie, Miss Cabot & Miss Garstin appointed to Committee

A monster spring run to be held in Nov 1886 by Canterbury Road Cyclists' Association

Atalanta Cycling Club, the Pioneer Bicycle Club and the Christchurch Cycling Club to be asked to co-operate

At its meeting held 18 Jan 1898, Linwood Cycling Club decided to hold a run to New Brighton on Gala Day

Christchurch Cycling Club, the Pioneer Club, the Atalanta Cycling Club & unattached riders to be invited to take part

1895: The Wellington Ladies' Cycling Club was established

The Wellington Club also looked at a scheme for obtaining bicycles on "satisfactory terms"

1895: A ladies cycling club, Mimiro Cycling Club, was formed in Dunedin with 18 members

Activities included monthly meetings, regular runs around Dunedin & further afield, socials, dances & picnics

1895: "A young Māori chieftainess standing and holding a bicycle. She was a sensation during the race week in Napier."

c.1895: Mary Darrow with her bicycle at Thames

19 Sept 1896: Mrs Wauchope and Miss Eva Scherff, with their 'Cleveland' machines

1896: Misses Wilkins and Howard, with their 'Tribune' machines

In March 1896, Ladies' Cycling Carnival held at Lancaster Park with 5 races, one of which also included men & women

In 4 races, rational dress was worn. The term 'cyclodonnas' was coined by the New Zealand Wheelman magazine.

1897: Ettie Harvey "distinguished herself at the Wanganui and West Coast Cycling Club's Sports by winning the half-mile"

1897: Mawhera Cycling Club of Greymouth was formed for both ladies and men

Of the 20 people present, a committee of five was appointed, consisting of both women and men

1897: Ladies' Cycling Club, Auckland

1890s: Lady cyclists riding along Symonds St in Auckland

Oct 1897: Opening run of the Auckland cycling season

Oct 1897: Group portrait of the ladies who took part in the opening run of the Auckland cycling season

Nov 1897: Beach cycling

1897: Carterton Cycling Club

22 Aug 1898: Two neighbours at Whanganui

1890s: The opening of the cycling season at the Thames

1899: Thames Cycling Club during its opening run

1890s: The opening run of the Rotorua Cycle Club

1890s: Bicycle decorating competition at Te Awamutu Flower Show

1890s: Group of cyclists attending the Auckland cycling club's fancy dress parade