The good old days when government was smaller and didn’t interfere in everyones personal lives…

From the web site Jolique, which has an exhaustive amount of information on bicycling and bloomers:

Although both bloomers and bicycles were gaining popularity for women by the late nineteenth century, for some they were a dangerous combination. Many opposed both bicycling and bloomer-wearing on the bases of morality and a concern for the public good. For example, some opponents believed that by wearing “male dress” (i.e., bifurcated garments, later called “rational dress” or “alternative dress” by dress reform advocates) women would adopt other masculine traits, such as the desire for other women.

There was opposition to bloomers in Detroit, too.

It was Feburary 16th, 1897 during the Golden Age of Bicycling.

Detroit City Council had the third reading of some very critical legislation: “An ordinance to prohibit obstructing the views of persons in theaters halls or opera houses where theatrical performances are given and to provide a penalty therefor.”

Alderman Batchelder offered substitute language for this ordinance.

Sec 1. Any person who shall wear upon his or her head any hat bonnet or other covering for he head or wear sleeves which obstructs the view of any person or persons in any theater opera house or other place or building wnere theatrical or other performances are given where an admission fee is charged or in any church during services therein or in any restaurant during a feed

And any female bicycle rider caught wearing bloomers in the public streets or any street car conductor found flirting with female passengers while in the active performance of his duty as such shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall on conviction thereof for each offense pay a tine of not more than $10 nor less than $2

Apparently Batchelder had no issue with men bicycling in bloomers.

Nonetheless, there was no support for his substitute language and his proposal died. Female bicyclists in Detroit could still ride in bloomers (and flirty streetcar conductors were given a reprieve.)

The ordinance which penalized those obstructing views in theater halls and operas also failed on a 10-20 vote.

And people complain about today’s Detroit city council?

Tags: bloomers, Detroit, History

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