We come to the conclusion to the 1915 brochure put out by Royal Enfield:
The Motor Cycle for the Lady Motor Cyclist
The letters reproduced in this brochure amply testify to the delights and pleasures of motor cycling. Several of the lady drivers whose letters we reprint have undertaken holiday tours covering hundreds of miles -and their freedom from wayside troubles and anxieties is the finest tribute yet paid to the famous Royal ENfield Motor Cycle and Side-car Combination.
In the driving of Royal Enfield Motor Cycles there is nothing to learn, but what may be quickly and easily acquired -no intricate mechanism, no complicated pedals and controls. "Mechanics" is a terrifying word to the average fair reader, but with a Royal Enfield Side-car Model the pleasures of travelling and touring are never blended with any thoughts of mechanism. For that reason the reliable Royal Enfield is essentially the one model for the lady driver.
The price of the Royal Enfield Side-car Combination, complete with the comfortable and luxurious coach-built side-car is 80 Guineas -less than half the price of the average small car, and the side-car combination is incomparably the better vehicle for the lady driver. With the Lucas Dynamo Electric Lighting Set, the price of the Royal Enfield Combination is £100 net .
We should like to send a copy of the complete Royal Enfield catalogue to every reader of this brochure. The catalogue contains much that is of interest in regard to motor cycling, and will be posted immediately on request. Kindly address your enquiry to:-
THE ENFIELD CYCLE Co., Ltd. Head Offices and Works: REDDITCH London Office and Showrooms: 48 Holborn Viaduct, E.C.
Royal Enfield Motor Cycles and Combinations may be seen at our London Showrooms, and at most of the Royal Enfield Agencies throughout the country.
Tillotson & Son, Ltd., Art Printers, Bolton and London.
What a triumph of marketing blather over what must have been the reality that these machines required way more tinkering and adjustment than even modern motorcycles (which still require an advanced license in most states), not to mention practiced work with the controls to keep them in motion. Daunting for anyone, male or female. It strikes me as wasted time, too, since the actual number of women who would give it a try, even with such encouragement, must have been tiny and is even a minority of the population today. How many women in that time controlled the purse strings that allowed such a big purchase? There was certainly no reason women couldn't master the task and Royal Enfield was right to say so. But was it wise to bother? There was little point in wasting marketing money on such a limited audience. Still fun reading, though. Thank you, Jorge
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