To mount the bicycle took acrobatic skills which made it hard for the average person to learn to ride. The High Wheeler was the first affordable bike of the time, it only took the average worker 6 months worth of his salary to buy one.(McGurn 157).
A few years later in 1880 the tricycle was invented. Like tricycles of today they were made of steel and the pedals were located on the front wheel. These tricycles were used by the women, at the same time men were still using the High Wheelers risking the chance at breaking their necks.
In 1890 the Safety Bike was invented. The safety bike was a giant step in the technology of bicycles, the wheels were now the same size, the bike now had pedals that connected to a crank with gears, and the bike featured a spring front and rear suspension for added comfort. Only the extremely wealthy had the opportunity to purchase this bike because of its titanic price tag. This bike had technologies not used until the 1980's. The 1890's not only fashioned a bicycle for the wealthy but also for the common working people of the day. Common working class people were able to enjoy the bicycle as a mode of transportation as well as a recreational vehicle.(Ballantine 187) "Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think It has done more to emancipate woman all around the .
world. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel. It gives women freedom and self reliance."(Susan B. Anthony, qtd. In Mozer).
By the beginning of World War I American people became more interested in automobiles than in bicycles. Companies such as Sears, Mead, and Schwinn began to market bicycles for children. (Baranet 76).
Present.
From the beginning of World War I to the early sixties bicycles lost its popularity that it had for one hundred and ten years. Then in 1962 the bicycle began to make its comeback.
In 1962 the bicycle was modified from its single speed, kiddy bike format, to a more advanced speed machine.
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