The story of "Safety Bicycles".

In the late 1870s bicycle designers were exploring new designs that would allow the rider to be closer to the ground, and that would therefore be safer. John Starley changed the bicycle in 1885 with the Rover safety bicycle. The bike looked similar to the bicycles of today. 

Most safety bicycles moved on two wheels of about the same size. A low seat between the wheels made the bike safer and easier to ride. 

The first safety bicycles had solid rubber tires. Later, air-filled rubber tubes were added to the design. They made for a much less bumpy ride!

 

 The safety bicycle used a gear and chain system. A chain connected gears on the back wheel to another gear attached to the pedals. Riders pushed the pedals to turn the back wheel and move the bike. Different-sized gears made it easier to pedal uphill, downhill, or on flat roads.