Bicycle as socio-cultural
indicator
A little history…
The first bicycle and its appearance
•
•
”The Walking Machine” was invented
by Baron von Drais in 1817;
The design -a structure which was
made of wood and 2 in-line wheels
with the same dimensions, but no
pedals
Velocipede/”Boneshaker”
 In 1865, finally were attached to the
front wheel of “The walking Machine”
, THE PEDALS.
 After the inovation made, the machine
was called “Velocipede” which its
meaning was :”fast-foot”.
1870 - High-Wheel Bicycle
•The high-wheel bicycle was the
first appearance of an all metal
machine and the first machine to
be called a bicycle;
•The pedals were once again
attached to the front wheel and
rubber tires were used in addition
to long spokes on the larger front
wheel. After some researches
people discovered that the larger
front wheel helped travel with
less pedaling;
1880's - High-Wheeled Tricycle
• This device was designed
specifically for ladies with long
skirts and corsets, in order to help
them ride with decency.
•Many of the mechanical
inventions, such as steering and
band brakes, for automobiles
were originally developed for
tricycles.
1880's - Hard-Tired Safety
•The design of the bicycle changed back
to become similar to the "Walking
Machine“;
• Metal was used to make a chain and
sprocket, and two wheels of the same
size were once again implemented.
•The additions of gears allowed for the
bicycle to have similar speeds as the highwheel bicycle. Hard rubber tires were still
used, and the ride remained more
comfortable than the rides of any of the
high-wheeled designs.
1888 - Pneumatic Tire
•Now, with the use of the
tricycle and the pneumatic tire,
comfort and safety could both
be contained in the same
machine;
•The popularity of these
additions increased, the bicycle
becaming cheaper and the
methods of manufacturing,
more efficient;


After the 1890’s, people started riding bicycles in
a large number, because it was a good
investment and a cost-efficient method of
getting places;
The improved bicycle became a commodity and
the prices started to decrease. This popularity
allowed the starting of mass production of
bicycles.
The bicycle in relationship with the
society and the culture

When the bicycle was invented, people never
thought that this “machine” will be closely
related to culture and society. Well, sometimes
unexpected things can happen, like in this case,
considering that the appearance of the bicycle
ifluenced the entire world!
Helping the
Environment
•Cycling is not only
important to the health of
the people riding, but also
those of the surrounding
environment
•The bicycle does not pollute
any air or sound. More
bicycles, less cars, more green
space. In conclusion, a
healthy enviroment for all of
us.
Helping our health
•A lot of diseases, like obesity or
cardiovascular diseases are increasing.
But, we all have a sedentary lifestyle,
because we find no time for
practcing sports.
•We can use the bicycle in our daily
activities, and in this way we cand get
the “sports benefits”;
Economical
help
•We all need a device
for our mobility(in a
faster way), but cars
are not “available” for
all of us. In this case,
bicycles are the most
useful for us.
•Bicycles are more
cheaper than cars, and
they don’t need any
taxes or fuels to be
paid;
EuroBike in France
France Tour
The involvement in culture
•The appearance of bicycles and their
evolution, the inovations according this
device and the changements made by the
first called “The Walking Machine”, have led
to the apparition of museums and important
exhibitions of bicycles in the entire world
• In sports, cycling and the competitions
dedicated to it, are bringing more and
more tourists and lovers of bicycles
together, spreading the culture in terms
of cycling, bikes, athletes of this sports
and the history of this machine,all over
the world.
Technical MuseumBucharest
Conclusions
Starting with their appearance, bicycles changed human’s life in his
living environs: social, economical, cultural and nature:
Equality between men and women;
Less pollution;
The safety of money;
No more wasting fuel;
“Mens sana in corpore sano”;
Museums, exhibitions, competitions of cycling =tourists
=the spread of
bicycles and sports;
=money;
Thank you for
your attention!
Tudor Andra