BICYCLE HISTORY

BICYCLE HISTORY

1886 - 1900 BICYCLE FEVER

In 1886 the “ Safety “ bike “ was introduced to American cyclists. The

“ Safety “ bike had two wheels the same size, front and rear, then later

fitted with pneumatic tires, now we have a safe, comfortable and easy to ride machine doing away with the old bike with a huge front wheel and

very small rear wheel, hard to ride and dangerous.

1890 saw 40,000 bicycles produced and 1896 there were 1,200,000 bikes

built in America. The “ Safety “ bike sold for $25 to $ 75. Special clothing

for riders was also popular at $5 per suit.

With the number of bikes being riden, yes, there were complaints, like riding on the walkways and night riding with out lights. In Lewes an association

was formed, “ The Baseball & Bicycle Association “, si when there was no base ball game you had a safe place to ride.

As roads became better thoroughfares, the event of the horseless carriages,

the bicycle craze subsided.

A famous Red Head Elgin King was advertised for $14.95 in Delaware

Pilot, May 14, 1897.

Abstract: Harrision H. 1/30/2019, Michael Morgan's Delaware Diary, Delaware Coast Press, January 30, 2019, May 1, 1897 Delaware Pilot.