During 1820’s to 1850’s many developments were invented for human powered vehicles. These new vehicles had three wheels (tricycles) and four (quadracycles) with wide variety of designs using pedals, treadles and hand-cranks.

An English engineer, Harry John Lawson (Henry Lawson) designed what was called a “safety” bicycle in 1876. Before that Thomas Humber in 1868 had developed the concept. In 1885, the safety bicycle invented by John Kemp Starley surfaced. This vehicle has two wheels of the same size and the rear wheel connected by a chain that used to drive it.

First mass-production of bicycles started in 1868, which triggered the first real bicycle craze all over Europe and America through 1868 and 1869.
In the early 20th century cycling was popular in Europe while in United States it dropped off dramatically. This was due to the rise of automobiles industry which became the preferred mode for transportation. By 1940’s most bicycles in America were made for children while in Europe cycling remained an adult activity including racing, commuting and touring which all the popular activities for daily Europeans.

The first bicycle tires was made by John Boyd Dunlop in 1887. That practical pneumatic tire was for his son’s bicycle in effort to prevent headaches during riding on rough roads experienced by his son. He patented the pneumatic tire in both England and United States.

In modern days, the bicycle designs have developed to increased specialization for many kind of purposes. The industry created bicycles with the hybrid variant, marketed as a city bike, cross bike or commuter bike. The frames also had dramatic changed from wood to steel. Recent designs even included use of carbon and aluminum frames, specially for high-end racing bikes.