Name/Title
1868 velocipedeDescription
Pierre Michaux, his son Ernest and business partners, in Paris, were the first commercial makers of pedal bicycles, in the mid to late 1860s. At the time the vehicles were called velocipedes. Competitors began to build velocipedes as well, and this example could have been made by one of them.
Cranks and pedals are on the front wheel, a direct-drive system. One turn of the pedals takes you the circumference of the wheel. This velocipede's 36-inch drive wheel provides a very low gear compared to bicycles of today. Cradles above the front wheel (forward of the head tube) allowed riders to rest their legs when coasting down hills. A handlebar-operated rear brake provided some (marginal) sense of safety.
The Calcium King acetylene lantern shown on the velocipede is from a different period - the 1890s — and is now displayed separately.Collection
Igler Collection: 19th century cycles collected by Ralph Igler and loaned to Marin Museum of Bicycling by his son David IglerMade/Created
Date made
1868Notes
Not confirmed that this was made by MichauxMaterials
Material Notes
Wrought Iron for Bar Frame and Fork, Brass Journals, wood wheels, Iron Tires