Throughout the nineteenth century, Americans began to explore new forms of leisure, including the popular activity of bicycling. Bicycling served as an important turning point for the women who began to participate in this liberating activity. It was a novel form of leisure and led to many cultural changes for women. Although most of the women who participated in cycling were from relatively affluent families, the activity nonetheless opened doors for others as well. Many women saw this activity that swept America as important and exhilarating. Newspapers commented on women’s participation in this movement, and as a result, advertisers began to focus on women’s involvement in this liberating craze, which brought more women to the activity. Although commentary was not always positive, it did influence how this activity was seen and remembered in popular culture.