Women in Cycling: Celebrating the Trailblazers of E-Bike History

We’ve come a long way since the days when women were banned from cycling on the roads. In fact, women have been at the forefront of the e-bike revolution, helping to make them the popular mode of transportation they are today. Here, we celebrate some of the trailblazing women in e-bike history.

It all started in 1839 when Baroness Bertha Benz became the first person to ever drive an automobile. Her husband, Karl Benz, had invented the car, but it was Bertha who put it to the test, driving it 60 miles from Mannheim to Pforzheim in order to visit her mother. This was a huge feat at the time, as cars were not yet in mass production and the roads were not yet suitable for them.

In the early 1900s, women were still banned from cycling on the roads in many countries. In the United States, for example, it wasn’t until 1915 that women were allowed to ride bicycles on the streets of New York City.

It wasn’t until the 1970s that women really started to make their mark in the world of cycling. In 1974, Frances Birtles became the first woman to cycle around the world. She did it solo and unassisted, pedaling 18,000 miles over the course of 18 months.

In the 1980s, British cyclist Beryl Burton set a world record for the 12-hour time trial, a distance she covered in 277.5 miles. She held the record for almost 30 years.

In recent years, women have continued to make waves in the world of cycling. In 2012, American cyclist Kristin Armstrong became the first woman to win three gold medals in the Olympic Games. And in 2016, Dutch cyclist Anna van der Breggen won the gold medal in the road race at the Rio Olympics.

But it’s not just elite athletes who are making a difference. Women of all ages and abilities are taking up cycling, whether for commuting, exercise, or simply enjoyment.

And with the rise of e-bikes, more women than ever are getting involved in cycling. E-bikes level the playing field, making cycling more accessible for everyone. They’re perfect for commuting, as they can help you tackle hills and headwinds with ease. And they’re great for leisure riding, too, allowing you to go further and explore more.

So, whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a complete beginner, an e-bike is a great option for you. And as we celebrate the trailblazing women of e-bike history, we can’t wait to see what the future holds for women in cycling.

Aug 06, 2023