Figure 1.--Here we have a family snapshot, we think in the 1970s. Two English brothers are showing off their bikes in the backgarden (yard) during the summer.

A number of early steps in Europe led toward the modern bicycle, primarily in Germany and France. Ar the time this was a leading to a conveyance for adult men. They came to be called velocipedes. The first British contribution was pneumatic tires (1845). Earlier metal or solid rubber tires were used. It took some time for these pneumatic tires to become standard. The French 'boneshaker' was he first to begin to look like a modern bike. The name comes from the fact that there were no smooth paved roads. It is at this time that Britain began to take the lead in bicycle development. Britain was Europe's wealthiest country thanks to its industry an empire. These were surely major factors. It is at this time that the iconic Penny Farthing (two English coins) appeared (1870). The front wheel had a 5 ft diameter. Only an adult could ride it, and a skilled adult at that. The Penny Farthing solved some of the vibration problem, but was very difficult to ride. It was the first such conveyance ti be called a bicycle. It was not a huge consumer hit. Not only was it difficult to ride, bit it was very expensive--even for the middle class. All kinds of important improvements occurred (1870s). Here Britain's increasingly sophisticated steel industry was an important factor. The first rear-wheel-drive bicycle with a chain connecting the pedals to the rear wheel, was mass-produced in England (1880). This basic designed exploded the popularity of bikes when John Kemp Starley began selling Rover bicycle with a very modern look (1885). This is when pneumatic tires really caught on. Dr. John Boyd Dunlop seized upon them as an aid to his ill and delicate son. Mass production began (1888). These improvements began to create mass appeal and prices began to fall to more reasonable limits, although they were oil prices above the level that the working-class could afford. A major step was the safety bike (1892). It is at this time that women also began riding. One more small step in women's emancipation. Major steps also occurred in America which because of the relative prosperity, outpaced Europe in bicycle ownership. It is no accident that the first sustained flight occurred in America by bicycle repair mechanics. Mass production was underway. We do not yet have much information on the vehicles like bicycles that English children played with. While mostly made for adults, there were some made in small sizes for children. The Coventry Machinists company in England, one of many manufacturers, offered bicycles in their 1880 catalogue bicycles from 38 inches to 58 inches. Bikes were quite expensive during the late-19th and early-20th century. Workers might be able to afford them to go to work, but only wealthy children had them. After the turn-of the 20th century, children's bikes were no longer a rarity. This began to change after Word War I, we see middle-class children with bikes. After World War II we see working-class children with bikes as well. Although Brutain's failure to participate in the post-War economic miracles clouded this somewhat. Finally the average child could expect to have a bike. Both boys and girls got them.

The 19th Century

A number of early steps in Europe led toward the modern bicycle, primarily in Germany and France. Ar the time this was a leading to a conveyance for adult men. They came to be called velocipedes. The first British contribution was pneumatic tires (1845). Earlier metal or solid rubber tires were used. It took some time for these pneumatic tires to become standard. The French 'boneshaker' was he first to begin to look like a modern bike. The name comes from the fact that there were no smooth paved roads. It is at this time that Britain began to take the lead in bicycle development. Britain was Europe's wealthiest country thanks to its industry an empire. These were surely major factors. It is at this time that the iconic Penny Farthing (two English coins) appeared (1870). The front wheel had a 5 ft diameter. Only an adult could ride it, and a skilled adult at that. The Penny Farthing solved some of the vibration problem, but was very difficult to ride. It was the first such conveyance ti be called a bicycle. It was not a huge consumer hit. Not only was it difficult to ride, bit it was very expensive--even for the middle class. All kinds of important improvements occurred (1870s). Here Britain's increasingly sophisticated steel industry was an important factor. The first rear-wheel-drive bicycle with a chain connecting the pedals to the rear wheel, was mass-produced in England (1880). This basic designed exploded the popularity of bikes when John Kemp Starley began selling Rover bicycle with a very modern look (1885). This is when pneumatic tires really caught on. Dr. John Boyd Dunlop seized upon them as an aid to his ill and delicate son. Mass production began (1888). These improvements began to create mass appeal and prices began to fall to more reasonable limits, although they were oil prices above the level that the working-class could afford. A major step was the safety bike (1892). It is at this time that women also began riding. One more small step in women's emancipation. Major steps also occurred in America which because of the relative prosperity, outpaced Europe in bicycle ownership. It is no accident that the first sustained flight occurred in America by bicycle repair mechanics. Mass production was underway. We do not yet have much information on the vehicles like bicycles that English children played with. While mostly made for adults, there were some made in small sizes for children. The Coventry Machinists company in England, one of many manufacturers, offered bicycles in their 1880 catalogue bicycles from 38 inches to 58 inches.

The 20th Century

Bikes were quite expensive during the late-19th and early-20th century. Workers might be able to afford them to go to work, but only wealthy children had them or well-to-do middle-class families. The bike industry was becoming important. Their were bicycle mechanics throughout America and Europe--more bicycle mechanics than automobile mechanics. Automobile were for a small number of wealthy families. Notice who first mastered powered flight--two bicycle mechanics in the middle of nowhere--Ohio. The roadster bicycle developed in Britain appeared (late-19th century). Major British manufacturers in England included Raleigh and BSA. Carlton, Phillips, Triumph, Rudge-Whitworth, Hercules, and Elswick Hopper also built roadsters. It proved to be the most popular of bike type, not only in Britain, but in British Empire countries and Europe (especially in the Netherlands and Denmark). It can still be seen in the developing world today. Some maintain it was the 'single most popular mechanized vehicle in the world'. After the turn-of the 20th century, children's bikes began becoming more important. They more were no longer a rarity, but still only well-situated families. Than another American fundamentally changed the role of the bicycle--Henry Ford. His low-priced Model-T made it possible for ordinary people to own an automobile. From then own the bicycle became just a recreational device--at least in America. This change took longer to develop in Europe. We see lower priced cars, but nothing like the American Model-T and its successors. Thus for a time, the bicycle played adult role. Not only a recreational role, but a range of transport roles like messengers, postmen, police, and other roles. As late as World War II, the German Army used bicycles. But we see the bicycle playing an importantly recreational role. France and Britain led the motorization of Europe. Recreational cycling was steadily increasing throughout Europe after the turn-of-the 20th century, but it began to drop off with the rise of the automobile not nearly as much as in America, but was a factor. Automobiles began to be preferred means of transportation. While not on the American scale, it was more true in Britain than the Continent. After Word War I, we see middle-class children with bikes and in the inter-War era bicycles in Britain were increasingly being seen as children's play things. This was less so in Germany where bikes were still being used by workers. After World War II, bicycles in the United States were mostly being made for children. Cycling continued be an important adult activity in Britain and Europe. We see bicycle racing, commuting, and 'cyclotouring'. After World War II with the European economic miracles, we see working-class children with bikes as well. Although Britain's failure to participate in the post-War economic miracles clouded this somewhat. Finally the average child could expect to have a bike. Both boys and girls got them. Adult use of the bicycle declined after World War II in Britain. With the rise of global warming as a major concern, biking began rising in importance in both America and Britain. The bike has become a kid of fashion statement and transportation for hip city residents.

Created: 6:12 AM 12/21/2020
Last updated: 7:59 AM 5/5/2023