Two Wheels, One Enduring Legacy
Bicycles are one of the most popular and efficient modes of transportation, even in a world where speed, comfort, and status are often associated with motor vehicles. The concept of the bicycle dates back to around the 16th century AD. Although the evidence is unclear and was later recognized as a “purposeful fraud,” it is evident that people desired two- or three-wheeled vehicles as alternatives to the common modes of transport of that time.
In 1817, a German civil servant named Baron Karl von Drais Sauerbronn made a machine called a “running machine” (German: Laufmaschine). He patented his design in 1818, and it is the first commercially successful, steerable, 2-wheeled machine produced. His autobiographer mentions that Drais’s interest in developing an alternative to horses was mainly due to the starvation and death of horses caused by crop failure in 1816. From that point onwards, the “Velocipede”, the early bicycle, started to develop step-by-step.
Bicycles were very popular in the 19th century; however, road accidents involving cyclists also increased, as many pedestrian accidents were reported during the time, and some states even prohibited using bicycles. So, during the late 19th century, manufacturers tried different approaches to change the design of the bicycle. This is one of the most important transformations of the bicycle, changing from a dangerous toy for sporting young men to a practical means of transport for men and women of all ages. John Dunlop's reinvention of the bicycle tyre in 1888, which made for a much smoother ride on paved streets, has also contributed significantly to the increase in the safety of the bicycles.
In the late 1890s, in the US, the manufacturing of bicycles was one of the very few “growing market areas” even during a severe economic depression, so that many people moved towards the bicycle manufacturing business, which ultimately led to market saturation and eventual collapse, a period commonly known as the “bicycle boom".
The turn of the 20th century marked the beginning of the decline in bicycle popularity in the US, as people preferred automobiles over bicycles. By the 1920s, many Americans viewed bicycles as children’s toys rather than a mode of transportation. But the situation was completely different in Europe during the time, as bicycle racing, commuting, and "cyclotouring" were all popular activities among adults. In the mid-20th century, the Chinese government regarded bicycles as one of the essential items that a person must have and also made the bicycle the government-approved mode of transport. The Flying Pigeon became the largest bicycle manufacturer in China, selling millions of bicycles to the citizens.
During the late 20th century, bicycles evolved beyond the traditional roadster design, when cycling was globalized and commercialized to a massive level all over the world. BMX bikes started to get popular during the 1970s and became an icon in motocross cycling among people. About a decade later, in the 1980s, the companies started to produce mountain bikes which can be used on many off-pavement surfaces and gained huge global attention. By the turn of the millennium, it is believed that mountain bicycles have outsold all over the world more than racing and touring bicycles.
Bicycles remain one of the most popular modes of transportation in Europe even today. As nations are trying to reach sustainable development goals and reduce carbon emissions, many automobile-dependent countries are increasingly encouraging cycling. Today, electric bicycles allow riders to minimize or completely avoid pedalling, making travel more convenient with less physical effort, while hybrid models combine the advantages of road and mountain bikes in a single design.
Beyond environmental benefits, cycling is gaining attention because it does not rely on crude oil, which is becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. Moreover, choosing bicycles over automobiles can help reduce traffic congestion, ease parking problems, and potentially lower the number of road accidents.
The bicycle has a rich and revolutionary history, from an alternative for horses to widespread use as a travelling mode, a toy, a sport, and many more. Even during an era where speed is valued, the bicycles, which are comparatively slow, are still in contention with other vehicles, and the significance of the bicycle is unlikely to diminish in the future.
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