The development of the "safety bicycle," with two tires of the same (or nearly the same) size, coupled with the introduction of inflatable rubber tires, revolutionized bicycle popularity in the mid-1880s. Almost overnight, bicycling was transformed from a young men's risky sport to a mode of transportation and recreation for all people of all ages. The Buffalo Bicycle Club, founded in 1879, said in an 1893 souvenir booklet, "From four bicycles in 1879, we now have more than 15,000 to 18,000 in the city. From one bicycle store in 1883, and no repair shops, we now have a dozen bicycle stores, as many repair shops, and six factories turning out as high grade wheels as any in the country."

Here is a Buffalo Illustrated Express feature about how the bicycle's popularity was embraced by area women.

Buffalo wheelwomen! A large subject and an elusive one, for the riders of the wheel slip by so swiftly and so noiselessly that they have come and gone before the onlooker has opportunity for recognition. Some of the Buffalo wheelwomen, however, are more than flitting apparitions. They have an organized existence, and are known to themselves and others as the Wheeling Division of the Women's Wheel and Athletic Club, with a position in the community of four years' standing. And how are they to be distinguished from the scores of unorganized and anonymous wheelwomen who frequent the asphalts? Well, partly by their costumes. "We think that the wheeling costumes," said their wheeling Captain, Miss Emma L. Villiaume,"should be as nearly like a riding habit as is possible; close-fitting and inconspicuous. The club uniform is of navy blue storm serge with some three yards of material in the skirt; the waist fastening diagonally at the side; and cut with a postilion back. The hat we wear is a small, soft felt, which is comfortable and does not blow off easily...

Of the 60 members of our local Wheel and Athletic Club some 30 of them are enthusiastic owners of wheels. Many of them are teachers, and among the professional members are four physicians: Dr. Ida Bender, Dr. Harriott Sheldon, Dr. Lilian Randall, and Dr. Ellen Sprague. One of the charter members of the Club is Mrs. Louise Bethune, the architect, who was purchaser of the first women' bicycle which was placed on sale in Buffalo. Mrs. Bethune is known as one of the most tireless and perservering riders in the club. No morning is too dark and threatening, no road too hilly, or too sandy, or too muddy, to daunt her courage.

"One of our members, Miss Klipfel, has made two century runs [trips totalling 100 miles]," said Miss Villiaume, "one this year and one last year, an dI believe another Buffalo wheelwoman has also made a century run, but I do not know who she is. It is not our object to make records, however, and we do not try to rival the achievements of the wheelmen. We ride simply for exercise and for pleasure, and so it follows that we ride moderately."

To the uninitiated, some of the club's weekly runs look anything but moderate. All the smaller towns in the vicinity of Buffalo have been visited by them. Yesterday they were booked for an 18-mile run to Big Tree Corners and back, and a week ago six of the members rode to Niagara Falls, making the return trip by train. The enterprising sextet upon this occasion were Miss Villiaume, Mrs. Lynn, Mrs.Bethune, the Misses Carrie and Lulu Smith and Miss Daisy Close. When such a trip is in prospect for a Saturday morning the wheelwoman must needs bestir herself with the early birds. "It was a quarter to four when my alarm clock rang...it had been very rainy, and it was hardly light enough to see when I started for the rendevous, followed by the fears and protests of my family. I found the other five waiting for me, fortified like myself with a cup of coffee and possibly a few crackers, and off we went, making good time out Grant Street and until we reached Military Road, which we found so muddly that when it became evident that our wheels were going in literally to their hubs, we unwillingly turned back and took a train from North Buffalo to North Tonawanda, where we breakfasted at the Hotel Sheldon. Then taking to our wheels again, we reached LaSalle and from there we rode to the Falls between the railroad tracks. An excellent path it makes, smooth and beautifully graded. It was then about half-past 11, and after a dinner at the International we rode about Prospect Park, all around the islands and through the sight-seeing roads. We all felt that we had never before seen Niagara so thoroughly, and that it had certainly been a delightful day."

"No, there are no tricycles in the club now," said Miss Villiaume. "They have been exchanged for bicycles.The makes of the wheels which we use are the Swift, the Dart, and the Psycho and their cost is about $150. I learned to use my wheel in a riding school and I should advise every woman to do likewise. It is much safer and more dignified than to teach oneself, and three lessons are usually sufficient. Of course, the mounting is the hardest part, but they teach a comparatively easy mount now."

Miss Villiaume regards herself as an excellent example of the health-giving effect of wheeling, and another member of the club quotes her physician as saying that he would like to prescribe a wheel for every one of his patients.