History Of Balance Bicycle

 

The balance bicycle is a type of baby bicycle that has a history that stretches back more than 2 centuries ago. It is designed for babies to try on once they have developed some basic physical and mental skills. 

The first balance bicycle actually came out in 1817. Unlike the present days, the balance bicycle was not made for children. A German engineer by the name of Karl Drais is the invention pioneer. He made a bicycle with 2 wheels attached to the wooden frame. In fact at that time, the modern bicycle which you commonly see in the streets today was not even invented yet. The first reported use of the balance bicycle back then happened from Mannheim to Rheinau on June 2, 1817. This documented ride lasted about 13 kilometers an hour, which was considered a record just broken that time. A few months later, he had further challenged the record by riding more than 15 kilometers an hour to cover 60 kilometers in under 4 hours.

Riders of the balance bicycle at that 1817 era could use their feet to propel themselves forward at speeds not popular at that time. If the speed was over 12 kilometer per hour, it was considered fast. With the invention of the balance bicycle came concerns over safety at busy city sidewalks. As the balance bicycles became more popular in the years that followed, the transport was quickly overshadowed due to safety concerns. It was quite an interesting point in history for the balance bicycle to be improved to become the normal bicycle that comes with pedals.

It was not all forgotten in the history of the balance bicycle. An English coachmaker by the name of Denis Johnson made modifications on the German invention with 2 iron forks in the front and rear.

Over decades that ensued, the balance bicycles quickly faded into popularity as a land transport as they were forgotten. In fact, it was not until about 10 years less than 2 centuries after the invention that the balance bicycle bounced back into the limelight again. History repeats itself with now the toddlers or babies using the balance bicycle more frequently. An enthusiastic father, Ryan McFarland brought back the balance bicycles into the bicycle market with the founding of his company, Strider. This company was dedicated to making balance bicycles for kids. Ryan did the balance bicycles out of his love for his toddler son to make a suitable bicycle for his ride.

In 2017, 10 years had surpassed since the first modern use of the balance bicycle. It was also a year of the 200th anniversary of the first invention of the ancient balance bicycle from Germany. In that year, about 1.6 million balance bicycles had been sold. This reinvention had proven successful in the history of bicycles in the world. The balance bicycle becomes the popular mode of bicycle and also a popular mode of play among kids, especially babies and toddlers.

You can refer to the balance bicycle - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balance_bicycle