The first bike had solid wheels, no steering or pedals and was made of wood. But it’s good looking…
 
The vintage aesthetic still proves popular - one can imagine seeing this Draisine being ridden by a glasses-wearing fellow on his way to a gallery opening. In a way, this use of a bike as a social symbol, a sign of the rider’s personality, has existed since its creation.
 
Throughout its history cycling has also played an important role in changing society by making travel cheap and accessible to all. Firstly, the invention of the ‘safety bicycle’ in the 1880s shifted the public perception of the bike from being a dangerous toy for sporting young men to being an everyday transport tool for women. As such, it aided the emancipation of women, allowing personal freedom, and enabling a move towards more practical attire than traditional dress styles allowed.              
 
Those in poverty are also helped by the bicycle as it enables a great level of mobility for relatively little cost. The bicycle was truly revolutionary in allowing individuals to boost their business for little money as it created the concept travelling professionals. This has led to various charities being established to help to fund bicycle programmes throughout the developing world.
 
In 1941 the bicycle was even used for military manoeuvres. The British force stationed in Singapore had confidently predicted that the Japanese would attack from the sea and as such targeted their guns in that direction. However, the Japanese advanced with 65,000 men cycling down the Malayan peninsular instead. This swift manoeuvre completely caught the British forces off-guard and Singapore fell days later.
 
Today, bicycles are an essential part of many peoples’ lives and businesses; from the hordes of couriers throughout cities to fixed-gear enthusiasts and the simple cycling commuter. Intelligence Squared are hosting a Cycling Festival in honour of this most diverse mode of transport on Thursday September 8th featuring a suitably eclectic range of speakers from Olympian Graeme Obree to writer Will Self http://www.intelligencesquared.com/events/cycling