The History of Bicycles for Children
Up until the arrival of the automobiles, bicycles were mostly for grownups, a means of practical and efficient transportation. However, when adults could drive, the change left bicycle manufacturers looking for a new market - and they found one in children. After the 1920s, bikes became toys and transportation for those too young to drive a car.
The first bicycle - the concept of a bicycle was first introduced to kids in Germany in 1817. According to the “Washington Post,” they lined the road, amazed, as Karl Drais pushed his contraption along the street for the first time, using his feet to propel it because this first bicycle had wheels but no pedals. In a world where the only forms of transportation were horses and human feet, Drais’ invention was revolutionary.
The first manufacturers - Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Ward were the first manufacturers to jump on the idea of making bicycles for children after adults lost interest in pedaling their way from place to place. Production began after World War I, with Schwinn and Huffy making their contributions to the industry much later. Huffy designed its first bike specifically for children in 1949, complete with the first set of training wheels. By the 1950s, children’s bicycles had entered mass market production.
The first children’s bicycles mimicked some features of automobiles, and by the 1950s, designs replicated jets and rockets. Things calmed down for a while in the '60s as bikes became more practical and streamlined; then, in 1969, Huffy introduced its Dragster with banana seats and high-rise handlebars. In 1995, Huffy entered into a licensing agreement with Warner Brothers to use images from cartoons such as Dora the Explorer and Thomas the Tank Engine on its kids’ bikes. In the late 20th century, children’s bikes became more safety-oriented with reflective decals and accessories and lighting.
Do you remember your first bike as a child? How did it look like? Share with us in the comments below.
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