[Eric in the Ozarks]

The Varsity had cheaper, slightly heavier tires and rims allowing curb jumping if need be. Toe clips were a $3 option.
The salesman said, “To be cool, you gotta have toe clips.”

[left that other site]

For an Inner City Bicycle Messenger, toe-clips could spell the difference between jumping off the bike before the bus hits it....or NOT. :-)

My Territory was Boston, Cambridge, and The North End, with $1.00 extra if i had to go to the DMV...just because of the aggravation. The Episcopal Archbishop registered a complaint against me because my hot pants were too SHORT. LOL

Sometimes i would see white outlines of people on the street, and it was a few years later i learned what that MEANT! LOL

Ahhhhh...those were the days!