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Velocifere
The Velocifere was invented by a Frenchman. The Velocifere had a wooden frame and wheels, and no steering or brakes. It was manually propelled by the feet like a balance bike. It was made entirely of wood. -
The Hobby Horse
In 1817 Baron Von Drais invented a walking machine. It had two same-size wheels, the front wheel was steerable. To make it move, you pushed your feet against the ground, There were no brakes and to slow the machine the riders had to drag their feet along the ground. It became known as the hobby horse. It was made entirely of wood. -
The Macmillan Velocipede
The Macmillan Velocipede was invented by Scotsman, Kirkpatrick Macmillan. MacMillan's velocipede was the first bicycle with pedals to drive the rear wheels. The tyres were made of wood. Macmillan is sometimes credited with inventing the bicycle because the rider could travel without touching the ground. -
The Boneshaker
The next appearance of a two-wheeled riding machine was when pedals were applied to the front wheel.
This machine was known as the bone shaker, since it was also made entirely of wood, then later with metal tires, and so it was an uncomfrtable ride on the cobblestone roads. -
The Penny Farthing
The Penny Farthing had a small rear wheel and large front wheel. It had hollow steel frames, steel rims and solid rubber tires.
The Penny Farthing was unsafe. Getting on and off was tricky, and the rider sat almost over the large front wheel. From that position he could be thrown forward onto his head by road hazards. -
The Unicycle
The Unicycle is believed to have evolved as a spin-off of the Penny Farthing.
When cyclists stopped abruptly, the back wheel of the penny-farthing would rise up off the ground. Some riders began experimenting to see how far they could travel on one wheel and eventually decided they didn't need the back wheel and so the unicycle was born ...
- See more at: http://www.bicycle-and-bikes.com/history-of-bicycles.html#1870_-_Penny_Farthing -
High Wheel Tricycle
The High-Wheel Tricycle was invented as a safer alternative to the dangerous Penny Farthing. It was safer and allowed women who wore long skirts to use the cycles.
Unfortunately it was also more expensive too and didn't take off.
While the men were risking their necks on the high wheels, ladies, confined to their long skirts and corsets, could take a spin around the park on an adult tricycle. These machines also afforded more dignity to gentlemen such as doctors and clergymen. -
The Safety Bicycle
Bicycle riding became safer when an Englishman invented the safety bicycle. This bicycle had today's familiar design. The bicycle he designed had two wheels of equal size, with a chain drive to the rear wheel and an adjustable saddle.The tyres were solid rubber. -
Pneumatic Tyres
The pneumatic tyre was first put on the bicycle by an Irish vet who was trying to give his young son a more comfortable ride on his tricycle. This inventive young doctor's name was Dunlop. Now that cyclists could be comfortable and safe, everyone wanted to ride the bicycle. -
Back Pedal Brake Bicycle
A bicycle with a back-pedal brake was invented by Daniel Stover and William Hance. -
The Tandem Velocipede
The Tandem Velocipede was built. -
The first detachable pneumatic bicycle
Andre and Eduoard Michelin invented the first detachable pneumatic bicycle tyre. -
Kids' Bike
Cars were starting to be invented, so adults used cars instead of bicycles. The bicycle was considered a child's toy. Kids' bikes were introduced just after the First World War. -
Schwinn Stingrays
These high-rise bicycles had small wheels, banana-shaped saddles, and long handlebars. -
10 Speed bikes
These bikes had two chainwheels and five freewheel sprockets allowed a total of 10 different gear ratios -
Modern Recumbant Bikes
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Mountain Bikes
The first Mountain bike was called the "Stumpjumper" and it is still made today, The Mountain bike replaced the 10 speed bike, like the Safety Bike replaced the Penny Farthing. -
Bike Helmets
Australia passed the world's first Bike helmet legislation, compelling cyclists by law to wear helmets. -
Today
