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Bicycles: Icons of Innovation and Mobility

From the 1880s to the 1910s, Americans took to the wheel, sparking a nationwide bicycle craze. In the era before automobiles, bicycles were a means of affordable personal mobility. This nationwide cycling craze allowed Americans to explore new places and experience newfound independence. Learn more about bicycles and their impact on American culture at the National Museum of American History.


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American wheels from The bicycling world.

Bike Race

Bike Girl

Bike Powered Generator featuring Mr. Harrison

Studio portrait of a young boy

Bicycles and Carriage

Boys riding bicycles

Conservation of Energy with Bicycle Use Promotion

Man with Bicycle

Bicycle Handlebar Grip

Elihu Vedder with a bicycle

Stationary exercise bicycle with metal frame, seat, pedals, handlebar, and attached devices

Bicycle Ergometer, Skylab

Bicycle saddle used by Concor Racing

Smith Star bicycle, ca. 1884

Big Boda Load-Carrying Bicycle

Cycling Time Trial Helmet

Track Cycling World Champion Skinsuit

Identification Badge from UCI World Cup Classic

10c Messenger on Bicycle Special Delivery single

Photograph of letter carrier delivering mail by bicycle

National Off-Road Bicycle Association license

Presorted Std (10c) Modern Bicycle single

The old, old story from The Wheel and cycling trade review.

Bicycling Schedule from the 2004 Athens Summer Olympic Games

Brompton

Cycling skinsuit worn by Bobby Lea during the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games

Bicycles

Cycling skinsuit worn by Bobby Lea during the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games

Robert Cornell 1910-1965

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Sunday Riders

Jay Cowan [on a bicycle : chromogenic photonegative,]

Dingle, Ireland

Charles Logue, an avid collector of old bikes in sports shop begun by his father in 1896

Bicycle design by John Vassos


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