The History of the Bicycle.

An everyday object. A means of transport that replaced horses for personal transportation. But who brought this brilliant invention beneath our backsides — and what influence did it have on our society?

• Women's Emancipation

  The bicycle gave women independent mobility in the 19th century and became a symbol of the women's movement.

• Fashion Revolution

  Female cyclists wore the first "women's trousers" (bloomers) as early as the 1850s — decades before Coco Chanel.

• Labor Movement

  As the first affordable vehicle, the bicycle enabled workers to get to the factory.

• Mobility Revolution

  From the running machine to the cycling city: The bicycle has fundamentally transformed urban mobility and continues to do so today.

• Climate-Friendly

  Zero emissions, no noise, minimal space required: The bicycle is the most sustainable means of transport there is.

• Lifestyle

  From fixies to gravel bikes to cargo bikes: Cycling has long been a conscious lifestyle choice.

1. 1817

   The Running Machine

   Karl Freiherr von Drais presents the running machine in Mannheim: two wheels, a wooden frame, no pedals. The birth of the two-wheeler.

2. 1861

   The Pedal Velocipede

   Parisian blacksmith Pierre Michaux (or his son Ernest) mounts pedal cranks to the front axle of a draisine. The "Boneshaker" is loud, uncomfortable — and a huge success.

3. 1871

   The Penny-Farthing

   James Starley builds the "Ariel" penny-farthing in Coventry with a giant front wheel and wire spokes. Fast, elegant — and life-threatening in crashes.

4. 1885

   The Safety Bicycle

   John Kemp Starley (nephew of James) invents the "Rover Safety Bicycle": two equal-sized wheels, chain drive to the rear wheel. The basic form of the modern bicycle.

5. ~1900

   Mass Production

   Thanks to industrial manufacturing, pneumatic tires, and falling prices, the bicycle becomes an everyday vehicle for millions.

6. 1923

   The "Long John" Cargo Bike

   In Denmark, Morten Rasmussen Mortensen develops the first Long John cargo bike under the SCO (Smith & Co) brand, featuring a low loading platform between the handlebars and front wheel.

7. 1960s

   Folding Bike & Bonanza Bike

   The Moulton small-wheelers and Schwinn Stingray spark new trends: compact folding bikes for commuters and the iconic bonanza bike with banana seat for teenagers.

8. 1970s

   The Mountain Bike

   In Marin County, California, pioneers like Joe Breeze and Gary Fisher race down mountains on modified clunkers. The mountain bike is born.

9. ~2000

   The E-Bike

   Lightweight lithium-ion batteries and pedal-assist sensors make electric support practical for everyday use. The e-bike revolutionizes commuting and opens up cycling to new audiences.

10. 2000s

    The Fixie

    Bike messengers in New York and San Francisco turn the purist, lightweight single-speed into a cult phenomenon. Urban cycling culture becomes a lifestyle movement.

• Running Machine

  The very first name from 1817. You sat on it and ran. Simple, but effective.

• Hobby-Horse

  Denis Johnson's London version from 1819, named after the children's toy stick horse.

• Penny-Farthing

  Das Hochrad, benannt nach dem großen Penny und dem kleinen Farthing — wie die beiden Räder.

• Velociped

  Vom lateinischen „velox“ (schnell) und „pes“ (Fuß). Der elegante Name für frühe Tretkurbelräder.

• Reitrad

  Eine deutsche Bezeichnung für die Draisine: Man ritt darauf, statt zu laufen.

• Boneshaker

  Der Spitzname für das Tretkurbel-Velociped der 1860er: Eisenräder auf Kopfsteinpflaster, ohne Federung.