The History of the Bicycle: The First Democratic Means of Transportation See all the exhibitions.

Memorabilia and graphics from the collection of Pryor Dodge. In the years before the automobile, the bicycle revolutionized personal transport, and in many ways changed society forever. Both artists and cyclists embraced the image of bicycles as a speedy and graceful means to personal freedom. The "Golden Age" of bicycles is represented by a collection of unicycles, big wheel bicycles, trophies, decorative arts, and associated material relating to bicycling at the turn of the century.