1870 Boneshaker: In 1865 when pedals were added directly to the front wheel of the Draisine. The combination of the wheels with the cobblestone roads proved to make an extremely uncomfortable ride, earning the name “Bone Shaker.”

1875 Ariel: The Highwheel Era begins in the 1870s as James Starley makes the "penny-farthing" commercially available. The large front wheel acts as a gear ratio: a larger wheel means more ground can be covered with each rotation of the pedals. The pedals were still attached directly to the wheel provided a much smoother ride than its predecessor.

The 1880s: During this period, it was not deemed proper for women to wear anything except long floor length dresses. Therefore, riding a highwheel bicycle was not appropriate. Bicycles, like this Otto Dicycle, allowed the rider to sit low to the ground while keeping her knees together as to not reveal her ankles and still experience the pleasure of riding a bicycle. The evolution of design and affordability would give women a new sense of freedom and access. Susan B. Anthony considered the invention of the bicycle to be the single most important factor in women’s fight for equal rights.

Safety Bicycles: The further improvement of the bicycle sparked the next innovation in 1886, or rather return to previous designs. With the success of the Industrial Revolution came stronger metals. Unlike direct drive in which efficiency is related only to the size of the drive wheel, instituting a chain drive allowed for increased efficiency in power. The safety bicycle was also able to be mass-produced and so became affordable for the average worker. The bicycle was no longer the prize of high society, as people in every class could now experience the freedom and joys of riding.

Henry Ford's invention of the "quadricycle" in 1896 would soon revolutionize American Life. A forerunner to the Model T, the quadricycle was built on four bicycle tires and was driven by a chain. With the launch of the Model T in 1908, and with the rapid expansion of the automotive industry in America, automobiles became an affordable means of transportation for most American families. This new-found technology was quickly adopted by the majority of Americans, and the bicycle would enter a new phase of racing and entertainment.

The military first introduced bicycles in their infantry in the late 19th century. The expensive breeding of horses for the cavalry became burdensome. The bicycles offered an inexpensive, yet silent movement on the battlefield. The bicycle was used by many countries throughout the 19th and 20th centuries for their silent and reliable transportation. The German army used them in WWI, the British army used them in the Boer Wars, the Buffalo Soldiers in America, and the Japanese in WWII all used the bicycle as a way to preserve fuel and steel. The most extensive experimentation on bicycle units was carried out by a 1st Lieutenant Moss of the 25th United States Infantry Colored (an African American infantry regiment with European American officers). Using a variety of cycle models, Lt. Moss and his troops carried out the bicycle's suitability for cross-country troop transport. Buffalo Soldiers stationed in Montana rode bicycles across landscapes without roads for hundreds of miles at high speed. Although the US Army had used bicycles for many years before WWII, none were standardized for procurement before 1942. The Army's official use for these bicycles was: "To provide Transportation for Personnel engaged in Dispatch or Messenger Service". Of course, they were used for many other purposes. The proved a fast and economical way to get around Deports, Camps, and Airfields. The 'Bicycle Military, Universal' was adopted in October 1942 by the Ordnance Department. It was a military version of the Westfield 'Columbia' and was equipped with heavy-duty rims and spokes. It came with a D-Cell powered headlight on the front fender and basic tools were carried in a tool bag attached to the persons' saddle. A tire pump was stamped to the frame.

With the popularity of the automobile booming and the bicycle waning, the bicycle industry changed their core demographics targeting younger Americans while also completely redesigning the bicycle. Bicycles of the twentieth century featured a more "streamlined" look, very emblematic of a motorcycle, and featured mock "tanks", bright colors, and a plethora of chrome. The bicycle was back and brighter than ever!