A brief history of the bicycle and Chicago’s role in it

The first bicycles, known as velocipedes but nicknamed "boneshakers," first appeared in Chicago after the Civil War. By the 1890's Chicago was the bike manufacturing capital of America. And who can forget the iconic phrase "a Brand. New. Schwinn. Bicycle!" if you hit bucket Number 6 in the Grand Prize Game on Bozo's Circus.

[@vinylartcollectibles]

I fell in love with bike riding by accident. One of life’s sweetest mistakes

[@nancyrosario8294]

Awesome bicycles video thanks

[@billyblaze700x9]

It's awesome Barnards is still going. Worked for Allen's Schwinn (Villa Park) in 95, 96. Best job I ever had.

[@mcarrusa]

Great to see Jeff and Greg in this. Barnard's Schwinn (6109 W North Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302) is the realist of "real-deal" bike shops. I cannot recommend any other shop higher than this. Old-timers may remember them on Harlem Ave, just south of the Green Line. That's where I (well, my mom) bought my first Mongoose BMX bike, in the summer of 1979. Their superior service, and deep knowledge of bikes, in general, started a life-long love of cycling, both for me, and thousands of other of my generation. It goes on, to this day. Thanks guys!

[@gregmundo6107]

I used to have a bike shop in Puerto Rico from 1983 to 2000, I feel exactly like you

[@MsAdamosa]

It's the future of transportation

[@user-xx2hj7xb6b]

Cycling to me is the ultimate in ergonomic bliss. Bikes - the prefect meld of human and machine.

[@MrPhotodoc]

I'd say the gentleman made the correct choice to quit his stressful "job" and concentrate on better things.

[@mcarrusa]

I will add, as a separate comment to the previous, that the book "No Hands: The Rise and Fall of the Schwinn Bicycle Company" is a great read, for anyone interested in Chicago bicycle lore.

[@garyquail4996]

I believe in the time in the 1920s Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company contracted the Davis company to build bicycles for the motorcycle shops to attract Young Riders who could not at a certain age ride motorcycles yet got themselves a Harley-Davidson bicycle and then later on in the Years they would go back to the same shop and get themselves a Harley-Davidson motorcycle as they get older this was the way to attract New Riders and future customers for the Harley-Davidson dealerships .

[@BlackyBrownDestruction9337]

Ike should've been prescribed not smoking

[@Qingeaton]

I used to stare at that Schwinn "Pea picker" and know....I wasn't cool enough to own that. lol

[@robkunkel8833]

Interesting about the 1800s Germany & horses. I’m a Baby-boomer who is reliving growing up in Chicago in the 1950s. Bought a ‘79 Schwinn Collegiate and a ‘56 Schwinn Corvette, so far. It is good for this Senior to bike because my balance is much better. It takes some time to get back to using those muscles but it is possible.

[@robertengland8769]

Interesting Harley Davidson is in the bicycle business. I put a New Departure brake hub, and handlebars from an AMF moped on mine. Similar to the first Harleys.

[@marcoaaguilar432]

Yo tengo una bicicleta sting ray schwinn 70 de la tienda barnards original

[@OYisit]

How can you cover this as history by not mentioning the biggest development from penny farthing/high wheeler to safety bicycle. 😮

[@SteffiReitsch]

Schwinn went out of business in 1992 and the name was bought by a Dutch conglomerate, Pon Holdings. Their bikes using the Schwinn name are manufactured in Taiwan.