Bicycle: simple idea, complex evolution
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A small display exploring the evolution of the humble bicycle, from an early 1800s pedal-less hobby horse to an Australian-designed Olympic Superbike.

The bicycle is an amazing invention and a highly efficient means of transport. Its genius is that it uses the strongest muscles in the human body to turn cranks. For centuries, the cranks that powered machinery had been turned by hand, using the weaker muscles of the arms and back, or by treadles, using only small movements of the feet.

Eight bicycles from the Museum's collection reveal how this revolutionary concept actually evolved over many years of thought, experiment, development and testing of materials, and growth in manufacturing know-how.

Explore some of the interesting and distinctive features of the selection of bicycles on display. These include the weighted pedals of the Velocipede, the huge front wheel of the Penny Farthing, the two separate chains of the Dwarf Ordinary, and the coupling rods that allow the back-seat rider to override the steering of a tandem bicycle's pilot.