A History of the Bicycle

The bicycle has undergone a lot of innovation and some major changes since it was first invented. It has gone from being a large, cumbersome, hard to control vehicle to a streamlined machine that is enjoyed by all.

At the beginning, a number of innovators contributed to the bicycle by developing human-powered vehicles. The best predecessors of the bike were known as push bikes, Draisines, or hobby horses. The Draisine is considered the bicycle’s prototype as it was the first means of human transportation to use two wheels. This invention was introduced to the world in 1817 at Mannheim and in 1818 in Paris. The rider of this contraption sat astride a wooden frame that was supported by two in-line wheels and was pushed along with the rider’s feet while steering the front wheel.

Two Frenchmen took the design for the bicycle in a new direction when they added a mechanical crank drive with pedals on an enlarged front wheel. After their invention, several designs utilizing the same concept on the rear wheel were created. The French creation became known as an “ordinary bicycle.” It featured a tubular steel frame with wire-spoked wheels and solid rubber tires. They were difficult to ride because the seat was very high and weight was poorly distributed.

The dwarf ordinary followed and addressed some of the faults of the ordinary. This version of the bicycle required the addition of gearing to attain sufficient speed; however, having to pedal and steer by the front wheel remained a problem. The invention of the chain drive solved this problem by connecting the frame-mounted pedals to the rear wheel. These were known as “dwarf safeties” or “safety bicycles” for their lower seat height and overall better weight distribution. The 1885 Rover is the first recognizably modern bicycle.

An increase in comfort and other innovations lead to a bicycle craze in the 1890s. Prior to the invention of the automobile, the bicycle and the buggy were the two most common forms of transportation for humans. Unsurprisingly, bicycle theft has been a problem since the beginning as well.

For more information on bicycles, cycling, and other aspects of the biking world, please contact the bike lock store of A & Js’ Bike Locks at info@bikelocks.com