[3][4][5] As part of its promotional marketing Le Vélocipède Illustré co-organised the world's first 'city to city' road-race for bicycles, from Paris to Rouen on 7 November 1869.

In October 1868 Le Vélocipède was published in Foix, Ariège, although the title was misleading as it was not related to velocipedes, but an excuse to obtain an Imperial publication license.

The masthead featured an image of the voluptuous Lady Progress astride a boneshaker,[11] and the main banner stated its coverage as: Subsequent editions featured a range of images of Lady Progress surrounded by contemporary cycling fantasy scenes, such as the montage (illustrated) of ballooning, walking, travel, outdoor life and freedom.

[2] In the manifesto of the first edition, Richard Lesclide, the editor, stated: The novelty of the new publication about cycling attracted the attention of the New York Times, which carried a report from the 'Velocipede correspondent of the London Star': The art of velocipede driving has attained such importance in France that it has its organ, in the form of a remarkably well written illustrated paper, entitled the Vélocipède Illustré.

In this assuming little journal your velocipedists will find every possible light thrown on their art, and minute records of the last feats performed by their Gallic rivals.

Under Faussier's leadership Le Vélocipède Illustré organized and publicised the first race of "horseless carriages" on 28 April 1887 [clarification needed] between Neuilly and Versailles.