For many kids learning to ride a bike is a rite of passage, but for me, it was so much more. Both my parents, in their own way, taught their children independence, and for me at a young age the primary vehicle of freedom was a bicycle. My two-wheeled companion helped break the barrier of my comfortable, predictable home turf, and put me on the road to new experiences and a broader world view. Mind you, this all happened in a small town of 10,000 people so it wasn’t that broad, but for a starry-eyed kid it seemed unlimited. I was ready for a Big Adventure.
From the time I could straddle my older brother’s too-big-for-me bike until this very day I’ve been an avid cyclist. This life-long enthusiasm has made a huge difference in my personal history. And as I learned at the Cycle Thru! The Art of the Bike Exhibit at the Cincinnati Art Museum the deceptively simple bike has also had a larger impact on the history of the world than you might expect.
For the perfect example of a world-changing technology that has a direct connection to the bicycle look no further than the airplane. Anyone who’s ever flown owes a tip of the hat to Ohio’s tinkering Wright Brothers, Wilbur and Orville.
The bike/plane connection occurs because a couple of the essential ingredients in the invention, construction, and flight of the first successful airplane had their origins in the Wright Brothers’ successful Dayton bicycle workshop. Business profits financed their experiments, and bicycle parts were key components of their early gliders, and later, powered planes.
Surprisingly, Susan B. Anthony, American social reformer and women’s rights activist, who played a pivotal role in the women’s suffrage movement was another famous bike advocate. Some historians label it as hyperbole, but the firebrand feminist must have believed the idea when she said: “bicycling … has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance.” And at the time, cycle makers were also believers who challenged their engineers to manufacture bikes that women could ride without tangling their voluminous petticoats in the gears or exposing a scandalous ankle.
As a cost-effective substitute for the horse, the bicycle changed the very character of urban areas as well as improved the quality of life in rural areas. Thanks to inexpensive bikes (cheap compared to a horse anyway), people across all classes could move more freely and commute longer distances, enabling cities to expand geographically. And more bikes on atrocious roads inspired enthusiasts to demand street improvements which benefited everyone. As a cyclist spoiled by modern roads, I can’t imagine the challenges of negotiating the pot holes, mud holes, and horse droppings on turn-of-the-century streets. So I can believe that any street improvements were welcomed by all.
For a bike geek like me the Cincinnati Art Museum Exhibit was an intriguing look at the evolution of the bicycle traced through society’s changing lifestyles and preferences. The level of detail in some of the designs was amazing, and there was no shortage of “throw it against the wall and see what sticks” ideas; like the “ice bicycle” and the 1917 underwater bike. But one of my favorite things about the exhibit was the newfound appreciation I gained of how this relatively simple machine altered the quality and way of life for large sections of the society.
A radio, power pack, and Flash Gordon-style headlight … oh yeah! There isn’t a single kid in my neighborhood bike posse that wouldn’t have killed for this bike.
Earlier I spoke of the outsized role that cycling has played in my life, so I’m obviously biased. But from carefree childhood roaming the neighborhood … and beyond, I rode my bike on my first paper route, then later moved on to cycling to university classes.
As an adult I became serious about the health and fitness advantages, and developed an interest in long-distance bike touring. And luckily, now I live close to a number of rail-trails that allow my 71 year-old bones to churn out some fun miles, and get an intravenous shot of childlike freedom and self-reliance. I will always be a cyclist, and hope that you’ve had the chance for a special relationship with a two-wheeled companion. If so, I’d love to hear.
Happy Trails,
James & Terri
Photo Credits: 1. Cinamablend
GALLIVANCE 
I remember taking my first bike with its twenty-inch wheels all over the suburban sprawl of a housing development outside buffalo – probably I was around six. By the time I was ten, my range covered the small hilly town of Butler, Pennsylvania where we then lived and my widowed mother sacrificed what I now know was a huge portion of her tiny income to get me an appropriate bike.
I think I recognize some of those bikes in the exhibit as coming from the Bicycle Museum in Pittsburgh. If it’s still there, you should visit it.
Ray, it sounds like we had a similar experience as kids. I now realize how lucky I was to be able to roam so freely around my small town. I’m not sure how much of that sort of thing goes on these days. It was such a positive influence on my childhood that I would hate to have missed it.
I checked out the museum you mentioned and it looks like a hoot. It looks like an interesting jumble of bikes and paraphernalia. I do a fair amount of rail-trail riding in southern and central Ohio, where I learned that Dayton was a real Mecca in the early days of bike manufacturing. ~James
What a wonderful post! I love that your started with the picture of Pee Wee Herman on his Bike! Your collection of bicycle photos is fantastic. I enjoyed reading about the history of the bicycle and your love of cycling.
Thanks Beth. This photo perfectly captured the freedom and exhilaration of zooming along on a bike; from my kid memories, and honestly, sometimes even now. I guess that’s one thing that keeps me coming back. ~James
When you think about it… which is what you did and realized at a young age, bicycling does mean freedom! I never owned a car in my life (other than the campers split with Mark), but I owned a bicycle, which was sufficient to run errands and go to work in Belgium. And it’s environmentally friendly.
Two more things come to mind: in South America, bikes with small, home-built motors are popular. Now and in the past. Ché Guevara went on an adventure in Argentina on one. And, if you’d like to experience “the challenges of negotiating the pot holes, mud holes, and horse droppings,” I suggest you ride the Carretera Austral in Chile, which is a popular biking adventure for many. 🙂
Liesbet, on my first trip to Europe, as a cyclist, it wasn’t lost on me that all those happy, healthy, and lean people in Northern Europe looked that way because they worked regular exercise into their daily routines. I was living in Texas where the car is king, so I was very envious of all those bike-friendly places.
I checked out the Carretera in Chile, and even under the best of circumstances it looks grueling and not for the meek. I’ve done some long-distance touring in the US, and even on good roads, it can be a workout. ~James
The Carretera Austral was a workout even in a car, James. 🙂 We abandoned it before finishing it. The scenery was spectacular, though, and many people seem to cycle it.
I’ve been riding a bike almost as long as I could walk. Today, we’re glad to live by the Rockies so we can enjoy the trails on foot or on bike. The museum is a great way to show how the bike has evolved. Maggie
Maggie, it comes as no surprise that an active, adventurous person like you would also be a cyclist. As I said in the post, I’ve done a fair amount of road touring, and at this point in my life I really enjoy dedicated trails. I haven’t done much mountain biking, but you’re obviously in the perfect spot to get off-road.
I live in Lexington, KY just south of the Ohio River, and thanks to that state’s rust-belt past, there are now lots of dedicated rail-trails which are incredible, and such an easy ride: paved, level, going through lots of small, whistle-stop towns with facilities along the way. You can do 5 or 75 miles, so they really are ideal. ~James
Sounds perfect 😊
At my age, an electric bike is the preferred way to go.
Peggy, I support anything that gets you out there. Frequently on these rail-trails I see people with mobility problems riding e-bikes, and it always makes me smile that they’re out having a good time. Win-win for sure. ~James
Electric bikes mean we have managed with only one car for more than 10 years.
I think my father would have loved this exhibit at the Cincinnati Art Museum. He was the one who taught me how to ride a bike, although my first try ended miserably with wounds and bruises. I don’t know if I have mentioned it here on your blog or not, but after he retired, my father was very into intercity cycling. He biked for hundreds of kilometers with people who were a lot younger than him, and he was very proud of that. So, thank you for this post, James. This brings a lot of sweet memories of me with my late father.
Bama, your Dad sounds like someone I would enjoy meeting, and I’m glad this brought back good memories. I’ve done some intercity touring as well, so we would have some good stories to exchange.
Up until a few months ago I was a lifelong jogger as well, but because of some back issues, I’ve had to stop. However, cycling is a great, low-impact alternative, and as your Dad demonstrated, it can be enjoyed into one’s advanced years. ~James
Several thoughts went skipping through my head as I read this, James. First up, if you haven’t been there, I highly recommend the Bicycle Museum of America in New Bremen, Ohio. They have an excellent display of historic bicycles.
Like you, a bicycle broadened my horizons as a kid. My parents bought a well-used and loved bike for me for $5 in the early 50s. I can remember my mother pushing the bike and me down the gravel path in front of our house so I could learn to ride. Before long I was wandering 3-4 miles away from home! (our town had 750.) I also could take that bike apart and put it back together.
Later, a bike was my primary form of transportation at Berkeley and and the Peace Corps in Africa.
The stories go on. Grin. I commuted to work by bike for several years in Sacramento and organized a city-wide conference to support bike commuting. Later I set up 3 day, 500 mile, and 1000 mile bike treks as fundraisers for the American Lung Association, both locally and nationally. I even set up thousand mile treks in New Zealand and China.
And then, as you may recall from my blogs, I did a 10,000 mile solo trip around North America.
Yeah, I would say I support your enthusiasm, James.
Curt, I suspected that I’d hear from you. This is a very, very impressive cycling résumé and it wins the enthusiasm prize. All these accomplishments are impressive, but the 10K solo tour … wow!
My “learning to ride” story will be interesting to you. I learned to ride on my older brother’s stripped down, 26in jalopy of a bike. It was so big, and I was so small that the only way I could mount it was to roll it up to the steps on our back porch and throw my little leg over. As to the dismount, I would find a soft, grassy spot in our backyard and just fall over. Not too smart, but it got the job done and I was smitten for life.
A friend of mine recommended the New Bremen Museum, and that’s just up the road from some of my Ohio rail-trail rides so I will definitely check it out. Thanks for a comment to show our readers what a serious cycling enthusiast can accomplish. ~James
Hi James, I’m feeling guilty at how long it took me to respond. My apologies. Peggy and I wandering the Southwest again and I find myself distracted.
I love the mount and dismount tale of your youth.
Peggy’s aunt lives near the museum. We went there last year when we were attending he 100th birthday party.
–Curt
Fun to read how bicycling has become an integral part of your life, James. It was engaging touring the museum with you and seeing how the bicycle was a part of the emancipation of women.
Annie, this emancipation/bike connection was not one I knew that much about. However, in a visit to the Wright Brothers’ Museum in Dayton I saw some wonderful “Parisian-Style” photos of turn-of-the-century picnics with young women in all their frilly finery standing by their bikes. It must have been incredibly liberating at a time when going out without a chaperone was a scandal. ~James
Indeed!
Good article, photos, and interesting history. Thanks for visiting my little blog. That’s great you’ve been able to travel. Wow, you have 16k followers! Keep on truckin’.
Thanks for the comment and for dropping by our blog. I lived in Dallas, Texas (twice), and in my experience you are probably living in the most bike-friendly city in the state. I’m impressed with your cycling and community involvement, which are healthy messages to pass along to any city. Happy Trails. ~James
If I didn’t reply to your comment, I appreciate yours, James. We have a long way to go in terms of safety everywhere.
Thanks, James.
I love the connections you make there, James. from airplanes to suffragettes. You’re on the road to freedom with your bike. My favourite bike trail is Muckross Park in Killarney (wonderful family memories!)
Shane, I knew about the plane connection, but not the suffragettes. As you know, at the time in both the US and UK women were incredibly restricted in their movements and options, so having access to a quick, easy way to get out and about must have been liberating … literally. ~James
My favourite transportation mode for fitness and exploration! Hope you continue to enjoy cycling locally for health, etc.
Jean, I’m still cycling away. Today, in my part of the world that means dodging summer thunderstorms, 90 degree heat, and 90% humidity. It takes planning but I certainly like the summer better than the winter. Hope you are having a good cycling life as well. ~James
How cool that you live bear the trails to cycle.
I know a few folks that LOVE the cycling like you do – and author Klevin M Knight comes to mind because he writes about cycling – creating fiction that lets you feel the sport.
Thanks Yvette. I’m still churning away on my bike when I can, and enjoying every ride – even though they’re shorter and harder on my 72 year-old bod. I don’t know of Klevin Knight’s work but will definitely check him out. I’m always looking for new authors, and will be interested to hear someone else’s perspective on my lifetime hobby. Thanks again for checking in and the recommendation. ~James
James, if you send me an email I will send you an ARC for our book because we just released an anthology with two of Kelvin’s stories – and would love to share – or the book is available for free on Kindle on Nov 7th and 8th
but send me en email and I will share one of the ARC pdfs
xxx
That would be great Yvette. The email is gallivance@gmail.com. I’ll keep an eye out, and look forward to reading the book. Thanks much. ~James
James, thanks so much
and this is great to connect because last spring I was trying to find your blog and could not – not sure why?
then, I found an old post for Trent’s weekly smile and there was my mention your blog.
anyhow, I am glad to connect
xxxx