THE MOTOR-CYCLING MOTHER.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXIX, Issue 53, 14 February 1913, Page 8

THE MOTOR-CYCLING MOTHER.

We hear a great deal about the woman voter, when we ought to be hearing of a much more noticeable person, the woman mechanic (states the 'Daily Mail'). This new product is beginning to devote herself to the motor-cycle, as was very evident during the holidays. One of the most astonishing developments of the moment is the interest m the woman's motor-cycle. In towns such as Coventry, and one may, add Oxford, where the motorcycle is as common as the top hat in London, the woman motor-cyclist no longer arouses comment. She not "only rides the cycles, she knows the construction throughout, and can put a machine right on the road in mist workmanlike fashion. Infant Mechanics. According to the owners of a repairing garage which does much business, women *Tok after their machines very much Better than men; and probably run them at 10 per cent, to 15 per cent, less cost. One particular account of a lady who rode her machine daily, though only for small distances, showed a total of ISs 7d for six months' use, including everything—oil, petrol, repairs, and tlie rest. "The hand* that- rooks the cradle rules the world." It is very much the same case with the hand that opens the throttle. Children have a nodding acquaintance with sparking plugs in their nursery days. They are now carried, like young opossums, on a maternal back, on the back of the motor-cycles, often in little chairs which very much suggest in- their build the first high chair of the nursery. Many such were seen in the last few "days and caused a good deal of interest. The chair on the back rarrier is a better mechanical principle than a side car, and from this snug position the infant gathers by instinct such a precise knowledge of mechanics that he or she can tell instantly from the mistake causing the machine to work below par. The mechanical interest of the coming race is "a thing imaginavery sound of the hum if the spark is retarded unduly or any other simple tion boggles at."