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1817—Draisienne
The first ever bicycle is invented by Barn Karl von Drais in Germany. It had a typical bicycle frame and two wheels and it was made of a wooden frame. The Draisienne or "The Running Machine" was powered by walking instead of pedaling. -
1869 - Velocipede
Pierre Michaux invented the Velocipede which was also known as "The Boneshaker" It was a two-wheeled bicycle with pedals. It was known as the bone shaker because the combination of a wood frame and metal tires over bumpy roads made for a uncomortable ride. -
1878 - The Penny-Farthing
James Starley invented the Penny-Farthing (also known as a high-wheel, a high wheeler or an ordinary bicycle.) The Penny-Farthing was one of the first models of bicycle to be called a bicycle. The bike got it's name because the two wheels looked like a penny following a farthing coin. The metal frame and rubber tires provided a more comfortable ride than the velocipede. -
1885 - The Rover Safety Bicycle
The Safety Bicycle or the modern bicycle was invented by English inventor John Kemp Starley. It featured a strong enough metal to make a chain and had a similar frame to today's bicycles. It also had two wheels that were the same size unlike previous bicycles. -
1888—Pnuematic tires
Invented by John Boyd Dunlop, Ireland. He invented air-filled tires that provide a smoother ride than the previously used hard-rubber tires. -
Cycling as a sport at the Olympics
Cycling is first introduced in the 1896 summer Olympics. Mountain biking makes it's debut at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic and BMX is introduced in 2008 -
1960 - Racing Bike
Racing bicycles become popular in the 1960s and feature dropped handlebars, narrow tires, numerous speeds and a lighter frame. The racing bicycle, also known as a road bike, is a bicycle designed for competitive road cycling. -
1978 - The Mountain Bike
Mountain bikes feature sturdier frames than previous bike frames, larger wheels and flat handlebars. Joe Breeze is credited with introducing the first mountain bike.
