When Was Cycling Invented?

Cycling—it’s one of those simple pleasures that’s both freeing and familiar. For me, it all started when I was about 3, wobbling around on my tiny bike with those rattling training wheels. And by the time I was 5, I was itching to ride without them. I’ll never forget the first day I tried—my dad cheered, gave me a gentle push, and I went for it. I was flying! Well, until I veered off the path and ended up head-first in a ditch… right into a patch of stinging nettles. Let’s just say my first experience with “real” biking left its mark!

But believe it or not, that rough start hooked me. Cycling has always had a fascinating history, going back a few hundred years, and it’s one of those inventions that’s evolved in surprising ways.

The Humble Beginnings: Early Bicycle Concepts in the 18th Century

Before the first “bike” came to be, people had some odd ideas for personal transportation. If you go back to the late 18th century, Europeans started playing around with concepts that laid the groundwork for cycling as we know it today.

Enter Baron Karl von Drais, a German inventor who in 1817 created the Draisine (or Laufmaschine), a kind of “running machine” with two wheels and no pedals. Riders would sit on it and push along with their feet, sort of like a modern-day balance bike. It wasn’t fast, comfortable, or particularly practical, but it was a start. This idea of a two-wheeled, human-powered device set the foundation, and people were intrigued. Although the Draisine didn’t explode in popularity, it marked the start of what we now call cycling.

Pedals Appear: The Velocipede (1860s)

Fast forward a few decades to the 1860s, when the next big step happened: pedals. French inventors began experimenting with attaching pedals directly to the front wheel, creating a machine known as the velocipede (nicknamed the “boneshaker”—and yeah, it’s as rough as it sounds!). Picture riding over cobblestone streets with wooden wheels and no shocks. Let’s just say it was an experience that rattled your bones!

A French blacksmith named Pierre Michaux and his son Ernest are often credited with this design. Although primitive, the velocipede was popular, and soon enough, young men across Europe were zipping around on these early bikes. They weren’t exactly efficient, and they looked odd, but they let people experience speed in a whole new way.

High-Wheel Era: The Penny-Farthing Craze of the 1870s and 1880s

If you’ve ever seen a picture of an old-fashioned bike with a giant front wheel and a tiny back wheel, that’s the penny-farthing—and it was the thing in the late 19th century. Developed around 1870 by British engineer James Starley, the penny-farthing was designed for speed, with a larger front wheel allowing you to cover more ground per pedal push. But there was a catch: falling off a penny-farthing was a serious risk. Those who dared ride it had to brave its height and balance, with accidents leading to some nasty spills.

I sometimes wonder if I would’ve dared to ride one—probably not. Even today, they look a bit insane. Still, the penny-farthing was wildly popular, a mix of novelty and status symbol, and it held the spotlight for nearly two decades.

The Safer Revolution: Enter the Safety Bicycle (1880s)

While penny-farthings were thrilling, they weren’t practical for most people. By the 1880s, inventors introduced the safety bicycle, which looked much more like the bikes we ride today, with two wheels of the same size, a lower center of gravity, and—thankfully—no need to balance atop a giant wheel. British inventor John Kemp Starley (James Starley’s nephew) developed the Rover Safety Bicycle, which had pedals, a chain drive, and was generally much easier and safer to ride.

This was the bike that made cycling accessible to the masses, not just young men with a taste for risk. By the late 1880s, cycling took off, and people from all walks of life, men and women alike, started using bikes as both a practical mode of transport and a fun pastime.

The Bicycle Boom of the 1890s

The safety bicycle triggered what’s known as the Bicycle Boom of the 1890s. Imagine the excitement! Cycling became a sensation, and people everywhere were getting their hands on these two-wheelers. By this point, bikes had smoother tires, pneumatic (air-filled) wheels thanks to John Boyd Dunlop, and steel frames that were lightweight yet sturdy. They were fast, affordable, and stylish—a true revolution.

Bicycles gave people, especially women, newfound freedom. For some women, bicycles were a symbol of independence. Susan B. Anthony even said, “I think [bicycling] has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world.” And she wasn’t wrong. Cycling empowered people in ways society hadn’t seen before.

Competitive Cycling: The Start of Racing and the Tour de France

Once people realized they could go fast, they wanted to know who could go fastest. The first recorded bicycle race happened in 1868 in Paris, and from there, competitive cycling took off. In 1903, the Tour de France was born. Originally a publicity stunt by a newspaper, the Tour quickly became an annual tradition, pushing cyclists to their limits as they sped through the grueling French countryside.

Today, the Tour de France is a world-renowned event, and it’s thrilling to see the athletes tackle those intense mountain passes. I often wonder what it would be like to try one of those stages—though I’m pretty sure I’d be gasping by kilometer 5 (or mile 3). Even if I’m not Tour material, it’s incredible to see how cycling has grown from a hobby to one of the most prestigious sports in the world.

In 1978, on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, a group of athletes wanted to test their endurance by combining the island’s top three races: the Waikiki Roughwater Swim (2.4 miles/3.86 km), the Around-Oahu Bike Race (112 miles/180.25 km), and the Honolulu Marathon (26.2 miles/42.2 km). John Collins, a U.S. Navy Commander, helped organize this first Ironman, declaring that whoever finished first would be called an “Iron Man.” Only 15 competitors started, and 12 finished. That race has grown into the Ironman World Championship we know today in Kona, Hawaii, and has inspired countless athletes around the world to push their limits.

In 2006, Ironman introduced the 70.3 series as a way to offer a more approachable long-distance triathlon format. The race in Clearwater was the inaugural Ironman 70.3 World Championship, and it quickly became a cornerstone of the series. The distance—1.2-mile (1.9 km) swim, 56-mile (90 km) bike ride, and 13.1-mile (21.1 km) run—was designed to give athletes a taste of the Ironman challenge without the full 140.6 miles (226.3 km), making it a popular choice for triathletes of varying experience levels.

Gears, Lightweight Frames, and the Rise of Modern Biking

Through the 20th century, bicycles continued to evolve with new tech. Gears were added to help with hills, making cycling more versatile. Aluminum and carbon fiber frames made bikes lighter and faster, and the classic “diamond frame” we know today became the standard. Cycling became a lifestyle, a sport, a mode of transport, and something almost anyone could enjoy.

Then came electric bicycles (or e-bikes), bringing a modern twist. E-bikes allow people to tackle longer commutes and make cycling more accessible for those who need a little extra boost. With cities adding bike lanes and eco-friendly policies, e-bikes seem poised to play a major role in the future of urban transport.

Today’s Cycling Culture: More Than Just a Ride

Today, cycling isn’t just a way to get around. It’s a lifestyle, a way to stay fit, and a culture in its own right. Cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen have made cycling a way of life, with infrastructure and communities built around bikes. Whether you’re a commuter, a mountain biker, a road cyclist, or someone like me who loves the simple pleasure of a weekend ride, there’s a place for everyone in the world of cycling.

Why Cycling Continues to Thrive

Cycling’s story is long and winding, but at its heart, it’s all about freedom. It’s incredible to think that the simple act of riding a bike—from a Draisine to today’s carbon fiber road bikes—has changed so many lives. And while I’m no Tour de France contender, every time I hop on my bike, I feel a bit of that adventure I first tasted at 5 (nettles and all!).

Cycling lets us explore at our own pace, push ourselves, and find moments of pure joy. From its wild beginnings to the smooth, stylish rides we have today, cycling has earned its place in our lives and hearts. And who knows? Maybe I’ll get to tackle my own version of the Tour one day—without the nettles this time.