The Wasp — 1895 — page 726: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

The main cartoon depicts a woman cyclist experiencing a dramatic accident in Golden Gate Park. The accompanying poem by John J. McDade describes her praising her bicycle as a "great success" before the mishap, then ironically noting how "a vehicle goes / To be where it can't upset." The satire mocks the cycling craze sweeping America in the 1890s, particularly among women. The text emphasizes how dangerous cycling actually was—contradicting the bicycle industry's promotion of it as safe recreation. The poem's ironic conclusion suggests that despite accidents, cyclists remain optimistic about their vehicles. This reflects real concerns about bicycle safety during the cycling boom, while also satirizing women's determination to participate in this new activity regardless of actual hazards.