THE BICYCLE
A bicycle is described as a two-wheeled vehicle which is
propelled by its rider. It is the most energy efficient means of
transportation and the bicycle is used throughout the world.
Particularly in developing countries - most notably in China, where
some 300 million bicycles are on the road.
The first step toward the development of the bicycle was the
invention of the "celerifire," probably in France in the 1790s. Back
then, it was often referred to as the wooden horse. Because its front
wheel was fixed, this vehicle could not be steered, and the rider
propelled it by pushing his or her feet along the ground. An
important advance was made by the German baron Karl von Drais in
1817, when he introduced a steerable front wheel, creating the
draisienne, or dandy horse.
In 1839, Kirkpatrick Macmillan, a Scottish blacksmith, made the
first machine with stirrup pedals, which were attached to and drove
the rear wheels by means of cranks. On the "velocipede," a French
invention of the 1860s, the front wheel was pedal driven and revolved
once with each revolution of the pedals. The speed of the machine was
dependent on the size of the front wheel, the larger the wheel, the
faster the bicycle.
The front wheel of the high-wheel, or pennyfarthing bicycle, so
named because it resembled the two British coins in proportion, was
used from the 1870s and the front wheel reached diameters of 5 feet
and more, while the back wheel might only be one-quarter that size.
With its seat mounted over the huge front wheel, the high-wheel was
dangerously unstable, and its use on poor roads led to many bicycling
accidents.
An English "safety bicycle," with a chain and sprocket driving
the rear wheel was introduced by H. J. Lawson in 1879. By 1885 a
safety model designed by J. K. Stanley, which had wheels of equal
size, became the basic model for the modern bicycle. Through
succeeding years, the addition of pneumatic tires (in the 1880s), two
and three speed hub gears (in the 1890s), and derailleur gears which
were invented in 1899 made bicycling more pleasurable.
Bicycling had become a fad for the young and old in Lee County by
1896, and in West Dixon a concern had even begun the manufacture of
the two-wheeled velocipedes. Several bicycle clubs with both male and
female members, were organized in the city and the divided skirt
began to make its appearance among the female victims of the
bicycling craze. Bicycle racing was a part of all outdoor events and
Dixon riders won their share of honors at state and national
competition events.
With the advent of the bicycle's popularity, a new crime problem
had arisen and was soon followed with a new word in the dictionary of
law officers. The term "horse thief" began to disappear and the word
"bicycle thief" took its place. A problem soon arose as to whether or
not to tax the bicycle which became an amusing topic for politicians
of the 1890s.
The Dixon Telegraph, keeping abreast of the wave of cycle
popularity, had appointed itself as an authority on the fine art of
bicycling and cycling etiquette in 1896. Some of the instructions
reported were: Don't look down, grasp the handle-bars lightly, do not
stiffen the muscles of the arms and shoulders, turn the wheel gently
in the direction toward which you feel you are falling-do not jerk
it, but turn gently.
Additionally it was reported that riders should not be afraid to
bear down on the pedals - the faster you go, the more easily will the
wheel be controlled. And it was advised not to attempt "scorching"
until the person felt that they were the master of the wheel. It was
advised that they always look ahead, and that you are almost sure to
become rattled by looking down at the wheel.
Traffic hints were quickly issued and noted reference was made
for bicycle riders to keep to the right as the law directs in meeting
all teams, and to the left in passing them. Without such a rule it
was almost impossible for drivers of horses who wished to avoid
collisions with bicycles, to tell how to guide their horses. It was
noted that nearly all drivers were friendly to the "little wheels,"
but the bicycle riders seem to choose only the smoothest track, no
matter where it leads.
A comment made a short time later by the newspaper editor
combined bicycling and woman's rights. He said that: "Our ladies are
getting more mannish every day. A young lady was heard to say when
she fell from her bicycle the other day, "That makes me so d - - n
mad!"
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