Pedaling to Progress

Location: Wright Gallery

Bicycles from 1800s-1920s
The bicycle has played a significant role in Maine’s transportation history. Its evolution has been critical to transportation globally, as an important stepping stone from animal-drawn carts and coaches to self-propelled vehicles like motorcycles and cars.

Bicycles gave people the opportunity to develop new mechanical skills and adjust to the idea of travelling without the aid of animals or the limitations of train or shipping schedules. For many countries around the world, like Denmark and China, the bicycle remains a major mode of transportation. It is a low-cost, efficient vehicle for people to commute to work or school, to shop or just ride for fun and exercise. Whether in Maine or Malaysia, understanding the role of bicycles is important to understanding the past, present and future of transportation.