Talk "The Ups and Downs in the development of the Bicycle"
Old Station Yard, Main Road, Long Hanborough, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX29 8LA
A volunteer will take participants to the gallery containing our Historic Cycle Collection and give a 35 minute talk about the invention of the first bicycle, the Hobby Horse, and describe its features. He will then explain the inventions that followed allowing the development of the Boneshaker, the Penny Farthing and the Safety Bicycle by reference to the bicycles on display. Such inventions include brakes, solid tyres, pneumatic tyres and advances in bicycle lamps from the original candle version.
The museum is home to the Morris Motors Museum, which tells the story of William Morris, later Lord Nuffield. It is therefore appropriate to look at the first bicycle which Morris ever made following a commission from a local rector.
The talk is designed for non-bicycle historians and will be light-hearted and feature some of the inventions and dead ends that did not survive the test of time. Indeed we have one exhibit which we have nicknamed "The Useless Bike"!
Participants will be able to study all the cycles in the Gallery including 19th century tricycles. They may go into the visitor centre with its cafe, shop and facilities, but they will not have access to either the Oxford Bus Museum or the Morris Motors Exhibition.
Timings & Tours
- Sunday 08 September:
- 1030, 1230 and 1430
Location & directions
Old Station Yard, Main Road, Long Hanborough, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX29 8LA
- Contact on day:
- Frank Collingwood
- Telephone number:
- +447785274891
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking required
- Booking conditions:
- All bookings to br by email. An acknowledgement will be sent within 7 days. Contact us again if you have not heard within 10days.
- Booking email:
- [email protected]
- Booking website:
- https://www.oxfordbusmuseum.org
- Booking opens:
- 03 Jun 2024 12:00 AM
- Booking closes:
- 06 Sep 2024 12:00 AM
Accessibility details
Theis event is not wheelchair accessible as the bicycles are on the first floor at the top of a flight of 15 steps.
Additional information
The talk will be given at the top of a flight of 15 stairs.
- Max no of people per tour:
- 19
- Est. tour duration:
- 0 hour(s) 45 minute(s)
