Timeline of motorized bicycle history

This timeline of motorized bicycle history is a summary of the major events in the development and use of motorized bicycles and tricycles, which are defined as pedal cycles with motor assistance but which can be powered by pedals alone.

Some Events (Not Exhaustive)

*1886 – eric lee Gottlieb Daimler of the Württemberg high speed internal combustion engine; a simple, light, compact, vertical cylinder engine was applied to a motor bicycle
*1898 – The 1898 Werner motorcycle was a bicycle powered by a De Dion-type engine mounted above the front wheel
* 1900 – The Singer Motor Wheel was a wheel attached to a small internal combustion engine that would be substituted for the front wheel of a bicycle, motorizing it
* 1903 – The "Shaw Manufacturing Co." (1903–1962) of Galesburg, Kansas advertises an engine kit (1903–1915) for motorizing a bicycle in "Popular Mechanics" magazine for $90. The engine is 241cc.,Dry cell battery ignition, slip belt drive, cruising speed of 20 m.p.h., and a top speed of 30 m.p.h. A later kit features the improved H-20 engine (1915–1920's), a working clutch, a magneto ignition, and chain drive.
* 1914 – The Smith Motor Wheel was introduced, similar in concept to the Singer, but was designed to be fixed to the rear of the bicycle, rather than to replace the front wheel. The design was later picked up by Briggs & Stratton. [http://www.aosmith.com/about/aoshistweb/]
* 1918 Evans Power Cycle
* 1919 Johnson Motor Wheel
* 1939 – The bolt-on Whizzer bike motor is introduced; production continues until 1962 [http://www.moped2.org/whizzer-bike.htm]
* Just before WWII – In Australia, the "Autocycle Malvern Star", followed the pattern of the British autocycle [http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~pattle/nacc/arc0227.htm]
* 1946 – In Italy, Vincenti Piatti had designed a 50cc engine unit for driving portable lathes and also foresaw the possibilities of this engine power-assisting a bicycle – the "Mini Motore". [http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~pattle/nacc/arc0119.htm]
* 1946 – The initial iteration of the VéloSoleX motorized bicycle is introduced to the French Public. [http://cyclo60.myouebe.net/45cc/45ccen.asp]
* 1948 – The Trojan Minimotor begins production in Britain and becomes immediately popular. [http://freespace.virgin.net/stones.ukp/trojan_minimotor.htm]
* 1949 The "Mobylette" is introduced in France. Its concept was "a bicycle with a nice permanent back wind". This pattern gave its name to the french slang term for moped. 30 million copies were produced until 2002, evolving much through different models during half a century.
* 1950 – The British-made Cyclaid 31cc bolt on bicycle motor is introduced. [http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~pattle/nacc/arc0412.htm] This same year also sees the introduction of the popular Cyclemaster motor wheel, also made in Britain from a design by the German DKW company. . [http://freespace.virgin.net/stones.ukp/cyclemaster.htm]
* 1952 – The 18cc German Lohmann is one of the few semi-diesel bike motors ever produced and is claimed to be the world's smallest bike motor. [http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~pattle/nacc/arc0282.htm] [http://www.industrimuseet.dk/site_engelsk/subpages/faste%20udstillinger/gaden/museum.htm]
* 1966 – The Vélosolex 3800 is introduced and becomes the most popular version of the Vélosolex motorized bicycle, production continues until 1988. [http://cyclo60.myouebe.net/3800/3800en.asp]
* 1968 – The Honda P50 the last vehicle to incorporate a motor wheel as a power unit is discontinued. [http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~pattle/nacc/arc0080.htm]
* 1975 – Sears begins selling the Tanaka Bike Bug motor under its own "Free Spirit" brand name; U.S. sales of the Bike Bug continue until 1985. [http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~pattle/nacc/arc0394.htm]
* 1985 – The Tour de Sol leads to the development of modern electric bicycles in Switzerland.

ee also

*Timeline of transportation technology

External links

* [http://www.buzzing.org/ National Autocycle & Cyclemotor Club from Britain]
** [http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~pattle/nacc/arc0431.htm Detailed historical list of motorized bicycle derivatives available in Britain]