To truly find the relationship between conventional and electric bicycles, one has to study the history of all bicycles. Although electric bicycles were conceived as early as the 1890s, it wasn’t until the 1990s that batteries became light enough to be officially carried on bicycles into practice.

The bicycle as we know it was developed in the early 19th century thanks to several inventors who completely changed the concept of bicycles at the time, or made significant improvements to the existing designs. The first bicycle was invented by a German baron named Karl Von Drais in 1817. The invention of the bicycle was significant, but at the time the prototype bicycle was mainly made of bulky wood. It can only be powered by kicking the ground with both legs.

1. Unofficial Bicycle Origins

Before 1817, many inventors sketched out the concept of the bicycle. But for a technology to truly be called a “bicycle,” it must be a human vehicle on two wheels that requires the rider to balance himself.

2.1817–1819：The birth of the bicycle

Baron Karl Von Drais

The first bike currently recognized as belonging to Baron Carl von Drais. The car was invented in 1817 and patented the following year. It was the first successfully commercialized two-wheeled, drivable, human-powered machine, later renamed the velocipede (bicycle), also known as the dandy horse or hobby-horse

Denis Johnson

The name of the object of Dennis’ invention did not survive, and the “dandy horse” was very popular at the time. And Dennis’s 1818 invention was more elegant, with a serpentine overall shape rather than a straight one like Dries’ invention.

3. 1850s: Tretkurbelfahrrad by Philipp Moritz Fisher

Another German is at the heart of a new invention. Philipp Moritz Fischer used vintage bicycles to get to and from school when he was very young, and in 1853 he invented the first bicycle with pedals, which he called the Tretkurbelfahrrad, which The user is not required to propel themselves on the ground with their legs.

4. 1860s: Boneshaker or Velocipede

French inventors changed the design of bicycles in 1863. He increased the use of a swivel crank and pedals mounted on the front wheel.

 The bike is difficult to steer, but thanks to the well-designed pedal placement and metal frame design to reduce weight, it can reach faster speeds.

5. 1870s: High-wheeled bicycles

Innovation in small-wheeled bikes is a giant leap. On it, the rider is high off the ground, with a large wheel in the front and a small wheel in the back, making it faster, but this design is considered unsafe.
6. 1880s-90s: Safety Bicycles

The advent of the safety bike is widely regarded as the most pivotal change in cycling history. It changed the perception of cycling as a dangerous hobby, making it an everyday form of transportation that people of any age can enjoy.

In 1885, John Kemp Starley successfully produced the first safety bicycle called the Rover. It is easier to ride on paved and dirt roads. However, because of the smaller wheel size and lack of suspension, it’s not as comfortable as a high-wheeler.

7.1890s: Invention of the electric bicycle

In 1895, Ogden Bolton Jr. patented the first battery-powered bicycle with a DC hub motor with a 6-pole brush commutator in the rear wheel.

8. The early 1900s to the 1930s: technological innovation

Throughout the early 20th century, bicycles continued to evolve and evolve. France developed many bicycle tours for tourists, and in the 1930s European racing organizations began to emerge.

9.1950s, 1960s, 1970s: North American cruisers and race bikes

Cruisers and race bikes are the most popular styles of bikes in North America. Cruising bikes are popular among amateur cyclists, the fixed-toothed dead fly, which has pedal-actuated brakes, only one ratio, and pneumatic tires, popular for durability and comfort and sturdiness.

Also in the 1950s, racing became very popular in North America. This racing car is also called sports roadster by Americans and is popular among adult cyclists. Due to its light weight, narrow tires, multiple gear ratios and large wheel diameter, it is faster and better in climbing hills and is an alternative to A good choice for a cruiser.

10.The invention of the BMX in the 1970s

For a long time, bikes looked the same, until BMX was invented in California in the 1970s. These wheels range in size from 16 inches to 24 inches and are popular with teens.

11. The invention of the mountain bike in the 1970s

Another California invention was the mountain bike, which first appeared in the 1970s but was not mass-produced until 1981. It was invented for off-road or rough road riding. Mountain biking quickly became a success and inspired other extreme sports.

12. 1970s-1990s: The European bicycle market

In the 1970s, as recreational cycling became more popular, light bikes weighing less than 30 pounds began to become the main selling models on the market, and gradually they were also used for racing.

13.From the 1990s to the early 2000s: the development of electric bicycles

Unlike conventional bicycles, the history of true electric bicycles adds up to only 40 years. In recent years, electric assist has gained popularity due to its falling prices and rising availability.