Birth and Evolution of the Bicycle
The inventor of the modern bicycle is Baron Von Drais of Sauerbrun. Originally from Germany, he developed his idea between 1816 and 1818, later presenting it in Paris in the spring of 1818.
This very famous means of transport began to be modified and perfected over time. A pedal pulley was introduced in France in 1860; the wheels were still made of wood and the one in front was much larger than the other.
Also in France, but ten years later, Eugene Meyer was the first to use metal and thus invented the spoked wheels.
Subsequent inventions and developments enabled the inclusion of the chain, with wheels of the same size and with tyres, thus achieving the more functional performance of the late 19th century.
Innovations and advances also came to Italy. In their Milan factory, Pirelli launched its first tyres that would be used by dozens of riders in 1909 during the first Giro d'Italia.
As time went on, the bicycle was equipped with gears, a great idea of the 1930s. In 1984 we see the introduction of quick release pedals, which will be used for the first time in the Tour de France.
In 2012, a momentous change came: Bosch eBike Systems established itself as the European market leader in the production of e-bike engines.
The big news will mainly concern the type of batteries with the introduction of lithium-ion.
The bicycle does not remain on the sidelines even when it comes to the digital revolution; it experiments and adapts to new technologies.
The latest models on the market are equipped with modern satellite anti-theft systems connected via App, and they also give us the possibility of integrating displays on the bike, through which we can control maps, change music, talk on the phone and monitor physical activity without taking our hands off the handlebars.
The bicycle has gone through epochs and transformations remaining, regardless of the model, a symbol of freedom, emancipation and lightness.
A means of transport characterised by elegance and style that today becomes a tool to help the environment and human health.
