From the book "Joliet, a pictorial history" by Robert E. Sterling 1986, G. Bradley Publishing Inc.

Bicycling was extremely popular in Joliet about a century ago...Cycling enthusiasts formed the Joliet Bicycle Club in 1887 to promote the newest rage as well as to plan social rides and races...Herb Foltz was one of Joliet's better "wheelmen" having established the record time of 38 1/2 minutes for a trip from Joliet to Plainfield...Newspapers regularly carried stories describing the physical benefits of cycling and instructing riders on proper techniques...Someone purporting to be an anatomist advised riders to sit erect in the saddle in a "modified position of the soldier."
Another article cautioned, "never kick a bicycle when its down...It will sure to get even with you."
In 1895, Joliet passed an ordinance requiring the use of lamps at night and establishing a speed limit of 6 miles per hour...The limit was later raised to 10 miles per hour, but it was never made clear how pffenders would be "clocked" or where the "speed traps" were located...Women cyclists were as avid as men and were often cautioned by editors to exercise descretion and good judgement in selecting appropriate riding attire.

Photo Courtesy of Esther Schneider

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