The Evolution of the Bicycle

EVOLUTION OF THE BICYCLE DA VINCI SKETCH 1493 It has been suggested Da Vinci (or a student of his) sketched an early drawing of a bicycle. However, 1790 CELERIFERE there are strong claims that this In a move away from horse-drawn drawing is a hoax. transport came the celerifere. Made almost entirely from wood, this contraption could not be steered and had no pedals or indeed handlebars. DRAISINE 1817 Designed by Baron Karl von Drais the Draisine had handlebars and could be steered, but pedals were still absent, along with brakes. 1818 VELOCIPEDE An improved, more elegant version of the draisine which included a saddle. The velocipede was referred to popularily as the 'hobby horse'. 'MACMILLAN' 1839 VELOCIPEDE Believed to be the first pedalled bicycle. Mid-mounted pedals were connected to rear wheel with treadles by Scotsman Kirkpatrick Macmillan but the 1820s-1860s were dominated by tricycles. 1863 MICHEAX BONESHAKER The bicycle referred to as 'boneshaker' due to the FIRST OFFICIAL 1868 less-than-smooth ride had rotary BIKE RACE cranks and pedals mounted The first official cycle race is directly to front wheel hub and believed to have been was made from metal which held in Paris, France. allowed for mass production. Englishman James Moore is credited as winning the 1200m race. 1870 PENNY FARTHING Larger front wheels allowed faster ROVER SAFETY BICYCLE 1884 speeds with pedals that directly The bike style we recognise today - connected to the wheel. First chain driven rear wheel, similar size machine to be called a bicycle. wheels and diamond frame. "Spoon brakes' pressed against Later additions included the top of front wheel to slow down, pneumatic tires, improved rim often causing accidents. brakes and step through frame for women. INVENTION OF RECUMBENT BICYCLE 1897 RIM BRAKES Recumbent bicycles hold the With the advent of pneumatic world speed record for human tires came improved rim brakes. powered vehicles and are generally faster than their upright cousins. Recumbent bikes were banned from racing under the Union Cycliste Internationale in 1934. TANDEM BIKE The tandem bike was developed 1898 and introduced by Mikael Pedersen. TOUR DE FRANCE BEGINS 1903 ROAD BIKE The first Tour De France began, designed as 'the race to end all races'. The competition has lived up to its billing, become the most prestigious cycle race of all time. INVENTION OF 1905 THE DERAILLEUR The first derailleur invented by Paul de Vivie, allowing for gears 1919 THE YELLOW JERSEY to be changed easily. First formal introduction of the iconic yellow Tour de France jersey. Yellow was chosen to represent the newsprint of organising newspaper L'Auto and was first worn by Eugène Christophe. 1930s GEARS PERMITTED IN RACES Gears are allowed in racing for the first time. EINSTEIN ONA BIKE 1933 The theoretical physicist Albert Einstein is photographed riding a bicycle in Santa Barbara, California. 1953 THE GREEN JERSEY The green jersey was added, awarded for the points classification in Tour de France. The jersey is green because the sponsor at the time was a lawn mower producer and is regarded as the 'sprinters jersey'. RALEIGH CHOPPER 1969 With long seat and high handlebars, the Chopper became a must have for children in the 70s and iconic of the era. BMX 1971 First popularised in California, when teenagers imitated their motocross heroes on bicycles. POLKA DOT JERSEY + 1975 WHITE JERSEY "King of the Mountain' jersey introduced for mountains FIRST BMX SHOW HELD 1980 classification with a white and red The first freestyle BMX polka dot design. The white jersey show was held. introduced for the fastest young rider (under 25). The jersey was abandoned in 1988 but reintroduced to the peloton in 2000. MOUNTAIN BIKE 1981 The mass production of bikes that allowed all- terrain riding began, featuring sturdier frames, wider wheels and a more upright sitting position than their predecessors. FOLDING BIKE E.T. ON A BIKE 1982 Although the concept was Elliott flies on his BMX into the present since the early 20th sky with his extra-terrestrial century, the popularity of the folding bike really took off in the companion in the popular Steven Spielberg film E.T. 80s. Folding bikes are now regular features on city commutes. FULLY SUSPENDED 1987 FIRST CARBON FIBRE BIKE MOUNTAIN BIKE First carbon fibre bicycle Offroad bike rides were made produced - allowing for lighter significantly smoother with the frames and faster speeds. production of fully suspended mountain bikes. UCI MOUNTAIN BIKE 1989 WORLD CUP The first mountain bike World Cup was held in 1989, with the inaugoral Downhill World Cup held 2 years later. 1992 PEDELEC ELECTRIC BIKE The first market-ready electric design - the riders pedalling is assisted by a small electric motor Siky for a faster, more efficient ride. MARK CAVENDISH WINS 2012 FINAL STAGE Isle of Man (Manx) cyclist Mark Cavendish wins the final stage of the Tour de France for a record 4th successive year. CAVENDISH SPRINTS 2014 FLIZ TO SUCCESS In a return to the early designs of Mark Cavendish gets his 24th the 19th century, the Fliz is a stage win to become the most saddleless, pedalless bike. It is yet to become popularised, but has successful sprinter in Tour de France history. possible rehabilitory physio uses. BRADLEY WIGGINS 2015 SETS RECORD Bradley Wiggins sets a new Hour Record in Lee Valley FUTURE THE SOLAR BIKE velodrome with a distance Solar panelled wheels used to charge the batteries that assist with pedalling - a faster, greener future for the bicycle? of 54.526 km on his custom-made bike. VISITIOM.CO.UK SOURCES + REFERENCES theracingbicycle.com web.pdx.edu Visit IOM wikipedia.org letour.com