The iconic Penny Farthing.
“When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the human race.”
- H.G. Wells.
When Was the Bike Invented?
1817 – The Running Machine. Invented by German Baron Karl von Drais, this had no pedals no chains, but two wheels. It was propelled by pushing feet on ground. It was sometimes known as human horse. It was largely a form of entertainment for aristocratic families with their own estate.
The Running Machine. Photo by Gun Powder Ma wikipedia
The Velocipede.
1885. The Safety Bike. It was around the 1880s, that the first safety bikes appeared. These are considered the first real bicycles. With their standard two triangle frames, pedals and chain, the basic design has remained unchanged. Starley’s 1885 Rover is considered the first real bicycle model.
The Pneumatic Tyre. In 1888, Scotsman John Dunlop invented the first practical pneumatic tyre, which created a much more enjoyable and comfortable ride. The bicycle was ready for mass participation.
Developments of Bikes Which Later Appeared in Motor Cars
Motor Engineers Who Started off producing bicycles
- Henry Ford, Wright Brothers. Dunlop tyres, The Rover Cycle Company, Morris Motor Company.
Cycling and Social Change
Cycling is credited with playing a role in the increased social mobility and emancipation of women and the working class. In the late nineteenth century, the safety bicycle gave a whole new section of the population their first personal transport. It enabled, people to live further from work, helping to create the modern commuter. (Women and cycling) (Class and cycling)
The Worlds First Bike Race
The world’s first bike race was won by James Moore, an Englishmen, in Parc de St Cloud Paris on Friday 31st May, 1868. World’s First Bike Race
Oldest Bike Race
The longest running bike race is the Catford CC hill Climb, first run on Westerham Hill on August 20th 1887. Oldest bike Race
Strange Disqualifications
The first Englishman to ride 25 miles under an hour was Ralph Dougherty. He was also the first UK cyclist to be disciplined by the UK for his choice of socks. He didn’t wear black, which were compulsory at the time. (This Island Race – Les Woodland)
On a slightly more serious note, in the 1904 Tour de France, 12 riders were disqualified for reasons varying from ‘taking a train’ to using cars. The reasons were never published, but, so many riders were disqualified, the fifth placed rider Henri Cornet, aged 19 was eventually crowned the winner. 1904 Tour (1)
In the 2010 Tour de France, Mark Renshaw, a teammate of Mark Cavendish was disqualified for heading butting a rider in a sprint and changing his sprint line.
Cycling in Secret
Whilst mass cycle races flourished on the continent, in the UK they were banned – for the reason cyclists were too fast and furious for the more sedate drivers of motor cars. Hence in the UK, people raced in secret. Time trials with riders setting off at one minute intervals, dressed in black to look less conspicuous (2)
Cycling and War
Danish troops ride out to face the Nazi war machine in 1940, during the invasion of Denmark.
The bicycle is often considered to be an invention that has not been used for evil ends. However, bikes have been used by military planners. The biggest military use of bikes was probably in 1937, when the Japanese army made use of some 50,000 bicycle troops in their invasion of Japan. Bikes also helped the Japanese army to beat the British at Singapore in 1941. In the First world war bicycle units often acted as messengers.
How Many Bikes Are There?
Approximately 105 million bicycles are made every year. This is double the number of motor cars made every year.
Source: World Bike Production Worldometers
In total it is estimated that there are a billion bicycles in existence, with by far the most (nearly 0.5 billion) being in China.
Most Expensive Bike
The most expensive bike was auctioned for $500,000 at Sotherby’s. It was a Trek Madone designed by artist Damien Hurst. (4)
Cycling Calories
Popularity of Cycling
Cycling in Verona
- The Netherlands has the highest rate of cycling with an average of 2.5 Km per day per person.
- In the US, this rate is 0.1 Km per person. In the UK 0.2Km (Cycling Rates by country)
Cycling Boom and Busts
In 1904, 20% of journeys in London were by bike (from the lips of Boris Johnson no less). In 2010 this is between 1-2% of all journeys. The UK experienced a dramatic fall in cycling in the post war period.
- In the UK Bicycle usage declined from 23.6 billion vehicle kilometres in 1949 to 4.0 billion in 1998; car use has increased from 20.3 billion vehicle kilometres to 375.9 billion in the same period. (DETR. Transport Statistics Great Britain 1999. London: The Stationery Office, 1999)
Safety of Cycling
- Cycling death rates varies between countries. There is usually an inverse relationship between bike use and death rates. Safety of cycling
- Cycling at least 20 miles a week cuts in half your risk of heart disease compared to non-cyclists who take no exercise, according to the British Heart Foundation (BBC)
- According to a survey from commuters in Copenhagen (Andersen et al, 2000).. People who don’t cycle to work have a 39% higher death rate (from any cause) than those who do. (cycling facts)
BMX
Economics of Cycling
- On a bicycle you can travel up to 1037 kilometres on the energy equivalent of a single litre of petrol.
- Twenty bicycles can be parked in the same space taken up by one car. (Univ of Aberdeen)
Cycling Records
The most prestigious cycling record is the world hour record.
- 1876 Frank Dodds rode 26.508 km (16.471 mi) on a penny-farthing.
- In 1972, Eddy Merckx set a record of 49.431 km (30.715 mi) that stood for 12 years.
- The current UCI record is by Ondrej Sosenka, 49.700 km (30.882 mi).
- In 1996, Chris Boardman set a record of 56.375 KM on his superman position.
The UCI later tightened up regulations making records use 1970s equipment.
Some of the greatest names in cycling have held the world hour record including:
- 1942 Fausto Coppi 45.871 Km
- 1967 Jaques Anquetil 47.493 (not ratified as Anquetil refused drugs test)
- 1972 Eddy Merckx 49.431Km
- 1985 Francesco Moser 51.151Km
- 1994 Tony Rominger 55.291 KM
- 1994 Graeme Obree 52.713 KM
- 1994 Miguel Indurain 53.040 KM
Related: More Cycling Records
Cycle Use
- Cycle use is highest amongst men 11-16.
- Cycling is least popular amongst women aged 17-20 and 60+
Legal Aspects of Cycling
Yes, there is a law against ‘furious cycling’ – though rarely used. Cyclists are legally allowed to ride two abreast, cycle on dual carriageways, and there is no law saying we have to cycle in gutter or on cycle paths. Know where you stand for when you get accosted by motorists or officials. See: Rules and Laws relating to cycling
- 10 Reasons to Take Up Cycling
- History of bicycle
- Bike for all cycling facts
- 10 Reasons to Love Cyclists
If you could pedal as fast as your car engine idles, you’d probably be going in excess of 300mph!
this is a great post – thanks!