What demographic shift occurred immediately after the Rover proved stable and efficient?

Women, older individuals, and those who were never athletic could ride with confidence

The introduction of the Rover Safety Bicycle marked a massive social transformation because it drastically lowered the barrier to entry for personal wheeled transport. Unlike the Penny-Farthing, which demanded mastery, specific physical adaptation, and willingness to accept severe risks, the safety bicycle was easier to learn and control due to its inherent stability and low height. This ease of access meant that the cycling market expanded immediately beyond athletic young men. Women, older individuals, and those previously deemed insufficiently athletic suddenly found cycling accessible, leading directly to the cycling boom of the 1890s and the democratization of personal mobility.