It is believed that this dwarf safety bicycle is a Moorgate Dwarf Roadster No.5, made by Cooper, Kitchen & Co., of the Moorgate Works, Elland, Yorkshire, England between 1885 and 1886. The bicycle is known as a Kangaroo type. It features an early bicycle gear system comprising independent right and left chain wheels driven by their own chains from the front driving wheel. The idea was first put into commercial production by Hillman, Herbert & Cooper of Coventry in 1884 with their "Kangaroo" model and this name gave rise to the type, though the reason for the choice is unknown it is believed to have nothing to do with Australia.

This type of bicycle was at attempt to render the Ordinary or "penny farthing" bicycle design more manageable and safer, by fitting wheels of more nearly equal size and adding the geared-up front wheel chain drive. The chain technology, developed on earlier tricycles, and the facility to fit different sized sprockets made the Kangaroo-type enormously popular on both the path and road. For a brief couple of years the ground- breaking design was taken up by many manufacturers such as Cooper, Kitchen & Co., and it appeared it would oust the Ordinary bicycle with its record-breaking speeds and claims to be less dangerous than the "ordinary". However, development was moving quickly and the Kangaroo was very soon eclipsed by the rear chain safety bicycle devised by Rover in 1885. The Kangaroo type had disappeared from the cycling catalogues by 1888.

Information supplied by Paul & Charlie Farren

Beeley, Serena. "A History of Bicycles", Wellfleet Books, New Jersey, USA, 1992.

Margaret Simpson
Assistant Curator, Science & Industry
August 2008

Stylistically this dwarf safety bicycle is attributed to Cooper, Kitchen & Co., of the Moorgate Works, Elland, Yorkshire, England, and made in about c.1885

The bicycle was donated to the Museum in 1965 by Bennett and Wood Ltd, through Mr W.H. Bartrop, Production Manager, Joynton Ave, Zetland, NSW.

Bicycle, dwarf safety, probably "Moorgate Dwarf Roadster No.5", Kangaroo-geared, front wheel driven, metal, probably made by Cooper, Kitchen & Co., Moorgate Works, Elland, Yorkshire, England, c. 1885

This bicycle is a "dwarf" style safety type, with wheels of unequal diameter (36 inches and 22 inches). A "Kangaroo-style" geared-up chain drive is fitted to the larger front driving wheel. The cranks, each with a short chain, are fitted below the wheel hub. The bicycle has a tubular frame, radial, steel spokes and solid rubber tyres. It is believed that this bicycle was made by Cooper, Kitchen & Co., of Yorkshire because of the unique round front fork arrangement with double-sided open head. The dropped handle bars have wooden handgrips. A lever and spoon brake on the front wheel operates by pulling a lever on the right handle-bar. It is considered that this is not an original one. The rider's seat, an Arab cradle spring saddle by Brooks, is also not original. Other fittings include footrests on the front forks for resting the legs when travelling down hill and a rear step for mounting which is an unusual triangular shape down to the hub of the rear wheel. This is possibly a later addition. The bicycle is finished in black.

Made: 1880 - 1890

Number on crank: "17671"
Rear solid rubber tyre: "John Bull North Pole Patent [1 x 4].

H7806

1880 - 1890

1120 mm

1520 mm