With technology advancing so rapidly today, it’s incredible to think that bicycles, such a familiar mode of transportation, are only 200 years old. We had the chance to visit Karlsruhe during the celebration of the Bicycle’s Birthday, honoring both the modern bike we know and its earlier versions like the Draisine, Velocipede, and Penny-farthing. Let’s take a brief tour of the bicycle’s history.
Draisine
On June 12th, 1817, German Karl von Drais rode the world’s first bike—known as the “Laufmaschine” or “Running machine”—from his home in Mannheim to Schwetzingen and back, a distance of 7 kilometers, in just an hour. This early bike didn’t have pedals and was later named “Draisine” after its inventor. Karl von Drais was motivated to create this machine due to the high cost of fodder for horses, which made owning a horse for city transportation very expensive.
Velocipede
It wasn’t until 1866 that pedals were added to the bike by Frenchman Pierre Lallement, who began production in the United States. Returning to France the next year, Lallement discovered that two brothers had come up with the same idea. This new pedal-powered bike became popular in Europe as the “Velocipede,” but remained mostly a toy for the wealthy.
Penny-farthing
In the 1870s, England introduced the “Penny-farthing” or “High-wheeler,” which featured a large front wheel for higher speed. However, it was difficult to ride and quite unsafe due to its challenging maneuverability and balance. The name “Penny-farthing” came from British coins—the penny and the farthing—where one was much larger than the other, reflecting the bike’s wheel sizes. Mostly young men rode these tricky bikes, and frequent accidents led to the next significant development in bicycle design.
Safety Bicycle
In 1885, the Rover Safety Bicycle emerged, featuring rear-wheel drive, chain propulsion, and two similarly sized wheels, making it more stable and easier to maneuver. This design quickly became a common household item, especially among the working class, who could now commute from the countryside to city jobs. The safety bicycle significantly improved life for poorer families and paved the way for the development of another popular means of transport—the car. But that’s another story.
Anniversary Celebrations
The Baden-Württemberg region in southwest Germany is celebrating this major milestone. Both Mannheim, where Karl von Drais first rode his “Draisine,” and Karlsruhe, where he later lived, are hosting a variety of events throughout the summer to commemorate 200 years of cycling. Vintage bicycle enthusiasts have gathered in Karlsruhe, showcasing their skills on penny-farthings and participating in a bike parade through the city streets.
This important anniversary highlights not only the bicycle’s fascinating history but also its impact on society over the last two centuries.
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