Birth of the Bicycle: A Bumpy History of the Bicycle in America 1819–1900

by Sarah Nelson, Iacopo Bruno (Illustrator)

Three cheers for the birth of the bicycle! Hop on for a jaunty, rhythmic ride through a playfully illustrated history.

From the pedal-less, brakeless wooden velocipedes of the 1800s to the sleek racing machines of today, from a luxury for the wealthy to a lifeline for the working class, the bicycle’s journey is a study in invention, innovation, and ingenuity. Sarah Nelson’s affectionate and poetic tribute covers almost a century of the two-wheeler’s development, while Iacopo Bruno’s bold, bright artwork illuminates this marvel of engineering. Cycling enthusiasts as well as budding mechanical engineers, inventors, tinkerers, and dreamers will revel in this fact-packed nonfiction adventure story—complete with a time line and other lively back matter designed to remind readers how truly extraordinary everyday objects can be.

Genres: Nonfiction, Picture Books, History, Childrens, Transport

40 pages, Hardcover

First published July 2, 2024

About the author

Sarah Nelson is the author of critically acclaimed fiction and nonfiction picture books. Her most recent title, Birth of the Bicycle: A Bumpy History of the Bicycle in America, is a 2024 Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Sarah's other titles include Firefly Galaxy, Follow the Flyway: the Marvel of Bird Migration, and A Park Connects Us, which has been featured in dozens of StoryWalks across the United States. When not writing, Sarah teaches English to adult immigrants and refugees and loves walking in the parks around her Minnesota home. She is represented by Marietta B. Zacker of the Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency. Learn more at sarahnelsonbooks.com.

Reviews

[Laura Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bright, entertaining illustrations combined with succinct text make a winning combo!
The history of the bicycle is explored in this gorgeous picture book that rhymes (kind of). Originally, bicycles were called velocipedes and they lacked both pedals and brakes and required the rider to “run”! The early 1800s models are described as “thrilling but frightening” and were entirely made of wood. A mechanic in France added pedals in the 1860s, but the device still lacked a brake! These models were still very expensive, however, and dangerous! It wasn’t until the 1890s that the “safety bicycle” was invented with easier steering, brakes, and inflated tires. They were much more affordable and provided freedom for women and children.
The story of bicycles is told alongside the story of progress in America both mechanical and social. Even the changing fashion styles of hats and clothing is fun to watch as one turns the pages. Multiple pages show designs from patent applications in the background. The images are fun and brightly colored and feature riders of all ages, colors, and genders sitting confidently astride bicycles (once they have brakes, of course!)
The end includes three pages with a longer narrative about the history of bicycles and ends with the reminder that bicycles are both fun and emission-free!

[madeline ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, the art for this was GORGEOUS! I couldn't get enough.

Second, this was a super fun nonfiction that was told like a picture book story, with a more detail-oriented summary description at the end for those looking for more information.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the illustrations and concept of this book, but I was a little dissatisfied with the text. If you know me, you know I hate ABAB rhyming scheme books -- and this one was egregious. I also was hoping for more information rather than a read aloud, so that was extra disappointing.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

While many youngsters are familiar with bicycles in their current iteration, they aren't likely to know much about the history of this form of transportation, the subject of this engaging picture book [3.5 for me!]. The artwork, created with pencil and then colored digitally, covers most of each page, allowing readers to view the various forms of the early bicycle and consider how hard it must have been to ride some of these versions. Anyone interested in engineering or design will be intrigued by the text and illustrations that offer an accessible introduction to the subject. From 1817 with machines that were almost completely wooden and had no pedals to ones with two wheels and a pedal but no brakes to those with oversize wheels and a hefty price tag and finally, the arrival of affordable bicycles in the early 1900s--almost 100 years of tinkering--the bicycle played a part in leveling the playing field for everyone when it came to transportation as well as being a part of the liberation of women. The information is presented in an engaging, humorous fashion, and interested readers can learn more in the back matter. It was, indeed, a rather bumpy ride to the bicycle as we know it today.

[Calyn Joy]

Sarah Nelson explains (in verse) the history of the bicycle: from the velocipede to the modern bike.
The illustrations are cool, done in the style of old blueprints but updated with color, but I think the verse actually brings it down some.
I think a kid who is into 'how things work' would enjoy this book (I think my brother would have when he was younger). Again, the verse brings it down, because the information is limited, and I feel like there would be a lot of questions. But for a kid working on reading comprehension or sequencing, who wants nonfiction, it's not a bad option.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

This picture book is absolutely beautiful, and has a decidedly vintage feel that goes along well with the history of the bicycle. The text is brief and in rhyme, so there isn't quite as much information as I wanted for a middle school audience. I was looking for something more like Macy's Wheels of Change, but with a more general overview of bicycle history.

[Laura Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing I don't know about bicycles after reading this extraordinary picture book. Interesting, entertaining...but, Wow! The illustrations by Iacopo Bruno will absolutely transport you to the world of bicycles. Astonishingly beautiful. A must have for private, school and public library collections. Bike and sports stores, too!

[Lindsey Alder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations, the rhyming content left out some detail, but this was made up for by the prose history included in the back of the book. However, my children lost interest in this part, so I found myself reading it alone. I found it interesting!

[Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing blending of lyrical poetry and fun historical journey of the bicycle. Marvelous!!!

[Connie Ehrnschwender · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good but I wish it gave more info about how bicycles improved in the past 50 years or so.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great illustrations help convey the info. Rhyming text is a bit of a stretch, but still a fun read.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A History of the Bicycle and Rhyme

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun story and has a nice rhythm to the words. I just wish they went a little further in the history and did not end in the 1890s. There was more information at the back of the book.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Supercool history of the bicycle with wonderful illustrations - just a gorgeous book.

In the juvenile section of the library, but not just for kids!

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great illustrations but wish they hadn't used rhyming text. It was unnecessary and confined the sharing of details on the mechanics.

[Melana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations!

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork, interesting history

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
I read a digital copy courtesy of the publisher and Edelweiss.
Truly this is a bumpy history of the bicycle as it was born, dismissed, reimagined, and embraced by the world over. Early bicycles were impractical and really had no safe surfaces, It was the invention of the safety bicycle that liberated the masses and paved the way, literally, for more motorized travel.