A History of the Bicycle: Celebrating World Bicycle Day

June 3 has been declared as World Bicycle Day by the UN General Assembly.

The resolution for recognizing this day mentions "the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle, which has been in use for two centuries, and that it is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transport.

Lets take a look at the history of when was the bicycle invented.

The invention of the bicycle can be traced back to the early 19th century. While there were earlier designs and prototypes resembling bicycles, the modern bicycle as we know it today with two wheels of similar size, a chain drive, and pedals, was developed during the 1860s.

One of the earliest versions of the bicycle, known as the "Draisine" or "Laufmaschine," was invented by Karl Drais, a German baron, in 1817. It was a human-powered, two-wheeled vehicle, but it lacked pedals. Instead, riders propelled themselves by pushing their feet against the ground.

The next significant development came in the 1860s with the introduction of the "boneshaker" or "velocipede." These bicycles featured pedals attached directly to the front wheel, allowing riders to propel themselves more efficiently. They were made of wood and iron, which led to a rough and uncomfortable ride hence the nickname "boneshaker."

The design continued to evolve, leading to the development of the "high wheeler" or "penny-farthing" bicycles in the late 1860s and 1870s. These bicycles had a large front wheel and a smaller rear wheel, which improved speed but also introduced safety concerns due to the risk of riders toppling over the high front wheel.

The modern bicycle with two wheels of similar size, a chain drive, and pneumatic tires, began to emerge towards the end of the 19th century. John Kemp Starley's "Safety Bicycle," introduced in the 1880s, played a crucial role in popularizing this design. It featured a diamond-shaped frame, chain drive, and equal-sized wheels, making it safer and more comfortable to ride than previous designs.

Overall, the invention and evolution of the bicycle were gradual processes spanning several decades, with contributions from inventors and innovators around the world.