THE new-fangled bicycle was regarded as "a menace" when a local newspaper launched into the subject with some cautionary views.

Sandra Lee, of French Street,Toll Bar, tackling research in St Helens library's archive department for an Open University project, came up with the following extracts from the long-defunct St Helens Lantern. And now, a century-plus later, they make highly amusing reading.

Under the heading 'Menace Of The Cycle', the Lantern of 1892 warned: "The use of the cycle is a form of bodily recreation in itself, doubtless wholesome but none-the-less open to the mischievous effects of undue indulgence. Lady cyclists may bear in mind their sex is somewhat the weaker.

"Among men, the power of endurance varies greatly and it is better to admit this and be moderate, than to labour after the achievements of far more muscular neighbours".

Women come in for further patronising advice. "Ladies have entered largely into the practice of cycling, and with great benefits to themselves. No-one could wish to see our wives and daughters become masculine... but I do not think that such a result seems at all likely from reasonable participation."

Well, thank goodness for that! Any half-formed worries that our Edwardian forebears might have entertained about their womenfolk breaking off from a bike marathon for a puff on their briar pipes and a quick shave with a cut-throat razor proved mercifully unfounded!

But that cycling was here to stay was underlined by another snippet in the Lantern, announcing a five-mile bicycle scratch race, with a gold medal (value £3) for the winner together with "the handsome silver shield presented by Messrs Pilkington Brothers". Second prize was a £2 onyx and bronze clock; with an oak-inlaid biscuit box (worth £1) for third place.

ALL of which goes to show how attitudes -- and monetary values! -- have dramatically changed over the past century.