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These bicycles were called dandy horses.
The first bike had no pedals. It was a bit like a balance bike that some kids use. You sat on it and ran along.
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Shutterstock.com (Bike with Flowers, Balance Bike); The Print Collector/Getty Images (Dandy Horse); NCJ/NCJ Archive/Mirrorpix via Getty Images (Boneshaker); Alamy Stock Photo (Penny-Farthing); Rischgitz/Hulton Archive/Getty Images (Safety Bike); David Madison/Getty Images (BMX Bike); Shutterstock.com (Tandem Bike, Box Bike); Copyright Crezalyn Nerona Uratsuji/Getty Images (Training Bike)
The Story of Bicycles
Whee! Bikes are a fun kind of transportation. The bicycle was invented 200 years ago.
How have bikes changed?
From the December 2026/January 2027 Issue
Learning Objective: Students will discuss the sequence of events in a nonfiction text, using language that pertains to time.
Lexiles: 420L
Featured Skill: Sequencing
Standards
1. No Pedals
2. Boneshakers
NCJ/NCJ Archive/Mirrorpix via Getty Images
Soon pedals were added. But these bikes had stiff metal tires. It was a bumpy ride! These bikes were called boneshakers.
3. Big Wheels
Alamy Stock Photo
penny-farthing bicycle
Then bicycles had gigantic front wheels. These bikes were way too tall. Most people would not ride them. Would you?
4. Better Bikes
Rischgitz/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Later, safety bikes were made. These bikes looked a lot like the bikes we ride today. They had bouncy rubber tires. They were easy to ride.
5. Bikes Today
David Madison/Getty Images
BMX bike
People ride them to work and school. They ride bikes for fun. Now there are all kinds of bikes. Which bike do you like?
Shutterstock.com; Copyright Crezalyn Nerona Uratsuji/Getty Images
(from left to right) tandem bike; box bike; training bike
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