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[[File:A replica of a very early bike (15036862042).jpg|thumbnail|left|250px|Figure 1. Replica of an early Draisine.]]__NOTOC__
In the 1800s, early forms of bicycles existed. Although the invention of the bicycle, to this day, is not entirely clear, cycling, as a sport and hobby, soon did become of great interest to the public. Shortly after the bicycle was invented, cycle races began to spread in many areas.
== When was the Bicycle invented? ==
Bicycles, of some types, appear as early as Leonardo da Vinci’s sketches from 1493. It is not clear if this device was actualized but indicate indicates concepts that became used later on. By the early 1800s, several types of bicycles were made. Initially, different forms existed. However, among the earliest forms of what would become the forerunner to the modern bicycle was the Draisine (Figure 1), a two-wheeled vehicle invented by Karl Drais. This bicycle consisted of front steering and was pushed along by a person's feet, as pedals had not been introduced. The bicycle frame is familiar to us, which made it different from earlier forms and gave it an appearance we would recognize.
After this development, the next big innovation was the use of pedals. This is not clear when this happened, but Kirkpatrick Macmillan could have invented a Scottish blacksmith. The key design modification was when Pierre Michaux and Pierre Lallemen put the pedals at the front wheel and put a seat on the support beam in 1863. This now made the bicycle much easier to control and power, enabling the rider to stay stationary while directing the bike.<ref>For more on the early 1800s bicycles and how they developed, see: Herlihy, D. V. (2006).<i> Bicycle: the history</i>. New Haven, Conn.; London: Yale University Press. </ref>
==How did bicycling change at the end of the 19th Century? ==
[[File:Kangaroo Bicycle Rev.jpg|thumbnail|left|250px|Figure 2. The high wheel bike became popular in the 1870s among cyclists.]]In the 1870s, cycling was focused on delivering faster speeds and was mostly a young man's sport, as it was often seen as dangerous and not suitable for the elderly or women. The so-called high-wheel bikes became popular (Figure 2), which often had a huge front wheel and a small back wheel. Such bikes made it possible to attain very high speeds, but they were notoriously unsafe with many fatal and major accidents. The main problem was these bicycles placed the driver high up, which meant that any bump or uneven surface made the cyclists lose control.
In the 1880s, the so-called safety bicycle was developed, emphasizing greater steering control and more even wheel sizes, giving the rider greater control and greater comfort by now giving back wheel chain control. By improving safety and comfort for cycling, these new so-called safety bikes also became the first bikes to be popular among both sexes and for different age groups. At this point, cycling begins to be pervasive among the wider population and at different age groups, including the elderly.
Not surprisingly, as soon as bicycles became more popular, people began stealing them. In parallel with the development of bikes, people began to develop bike locks to protect their investment. Starting in the early 20th century, companies began creating bicycle locks. The earliest bike locks were either larger steel locks designed to fit between the spokes or bicycle locks attached to chains that connected the wheels to the frame. <ref>https://www.historicallocks.com/en/site/h/other-locks/bike-locks/locks-for-bicycles/</ref>
In the 1930s, Optimus, a German company, began manufacturing several different-sized steel locks that could be used on a large range of bicycles. Companies in the United States were also manufacturing bike locks and selling them worldwide. Eventually, Optimus switched to pressed steel to create stronger, more secure locks. Even during World War II, companies continued to sell bike locks to militaries fighting during the war. <ref>https://www.historicallocks.com/en/site/h/other-locks/bike-locks/locks-for-bicycles/</ref> Today, bicycle locks are made by hundreds of companies across the world to protect bikes. [https://thebestbikelockthebestbikelck.com |Bicycle safety is still important, and you can check out some of the best modern bicycle locks made today in this article.] Fortunately, modern locks do a better job securing bikes than the ones made back in the 1920s.
==Why did bicycling become less popular in Europe after World War II? ==
In the early 20th century, the Dutch had among the highest per capita use of bikes globally. By 1970, it was evident that motor deaths became a leading cause of death for young people, which led to a re-emergence of the importance of the bicycle in the Netherlands as a means for transport. Major campaigns began to pressure politicians to develop specific infrastructure that segregated cyclists from motor traffic.
This led to one of the first nation-wide nationwide master plans for cycling that focused on developing nation-wide nationwide bike routes and protected areas. The led to also dedicated bicycle garages, changing facilities, and parking areas throughout the country. The transformation and campaigns by Dutch activists to make cycling part of an integrated transport planning became the model where other countries have since tried to replicate, where now cycling is often seen as one of the best transport options or at least part of other options for short distances in urban regions and the countryside.<ref>For more on the Dutch cycling transformation, see: Norcliffe, G. B. (2015). <i>Critical geographies of cycling: history, political economy and culture</i>. Burlington, VT: Ashgate Publishing Company. </ref>
== How did cycling become popular in the United States in the 1980s? ==
