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From Boneshaker to Bmx – the History of the Bicycle

Today’s modern bicycles are a far cry from our earliest attempts at pedal power. In fact, what many regard as the birth of the bicycle had no pedals at all. It was more of a wooden hobby horse on wheels that the rider would straddle and push the machine along with his legs. While it had no pedals, it did at least have steering. It was known as the ‘running machine’. Compared with today’s range of bikes, it doesn’t sound much fun really!

Later, another wooden beast would hit the fashionable cobblestone streets of Europe – the Boneshaker. The appropriately named Boneshaker had pedals, and was entirely made of wood, apart from the hard, metal wheels. Thankfully, for the well-to-do riding public of Europe, the Boneshaker would soon be superseded during the 1870s by the far more comfortable, but far more dangerous, Penny Farthing.

The Penny Farthing was easily distinguishable from all bicycles that came before it by its huge front wheel and small rear wheel. It also, for the first time, offered the relative comfort of hard rubber tires. The size of the front wheel was so large because the larger the wheel, the more efficient the pedalling. While this allowed the well-heeled to hurtle recklessly at speed about the streets, it was also the cause of many serious injuries. All that was needed was for a stick to jam in the front wheel or a dog to run across the bicycle’s path and the hapless rider would be propelled over the handlebars and onto the hard ground below, usually on his head. Helmets were not a necessary accessory in those days!

For the ladies of the day, riding a Penny Farthing would just not do, so an adult version of the tricycle was invented in order for proper ladies to enjoy the pleasures of riding through the parks and gardens without compromising their good reputations.

Later, the Safety Bicycle was introduced. This was a redesigned version of the Penny Farthing that placed the huge front wheel at the back of the bike and the small rear wheel in the front. This new design considerably reduced the risk of being flung over the handlebars like a rag doll and ending up with a severe concussion or permanent brain damage.

By the 1880s, the bicycle was going through further changes. The pneumatic tire, the use of ball bearings and the spring seat made riding a much more comfortable affair. It was during this time also that more practical designs incorporating two wheels of equal size were introduced, making riding a far safer and enjoyable experience. The bicycle was fast evolving into the modern machines we enjoy today.

It was during the later part of the 20th century however that the bicycle really started to develop. In 1963 for example, Schwinn introduced a radical new bike called the Sting-Ray. The Sting-Ray borrowed much of its design features from the easyrider motorcycles and included high-rise handlebars, a comfy banana seat and a stick-shift. The Schwinn Sting-Ray allowed its young riders to become far more adventurous in their riding and it wasn’t long before wheelies, jumps and other tricks were being performed. The Schwinn Sting-Ray would soon lead to the development of the BMX and the rest, as they say, is history!

About the Author

For more information, reviews and tips on mountain bikes, road bikes, folding bikes, BMX bikes and other bicycles, visit James Sanford's website at BikingHeadz.com, the complete online buyers guide for bikes and bicycles.

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