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The Wright brothers are famously known for their invention of aviation, but before they took flight, Wilbur and Orville Wright dealt in bicycles! It was their ideas, skills and profits from their cycling company that supported their experiments in aviation years later.

The Wright brothers opened their first bicycle shop, The Wright Cycle Exchange, in 1892, where they sold and repaired bicycles. Their shop opened just at the beginning of the bicycle craze of the 1890s. Though the craze did not last more than 10 years, it was a booming industry during its time.

Both brothers took great pride in Wright bicycles, as they were not a mass-produced product but were hand-built to a customer’s specifications. This made the Wright Cycle Shop (the business was soon renamed Wright Cycle Company) unique and more appealing to customers in the Ohio area.

Though the Wright brothers did not invent the “safety” style bicycle, their Van Cleve was one of the first models to perfect it. This new bicycle was much more practical than the previous “high-wheeler” cycle. With its equal-sized wheels, the safety cycle could be ridden by almost anyone.

Once safety cycles became more popular than the high-wheel bicycles, a cycle craze began. This new kind of bicycle made it easier for everyday use, and quick trips to town became much more feasible.

The first big cycling craze in America started slowly in early 1890, reached its peak by the late 1890s, and by 1900 it was over. The fad hit all ages. The bicycle became a fashion statement, American symbol and the must-have item of the decade.

The trend was set in motion by a number of things. It was partially the result of the recent invention of the car. In comparison, this practical, cheap and private form of transportation was more appealing than the automobile to the average American. The introduction of the easy-to-ride “safety” style cycle also played a crucial role: Almost overnight, thousands of people discovered an enjoyable and convenient form of mobility that would be used for years.

Fast-forward 130-some years to March 2020. With the entire world in the midst of a global pandemic, cities, states and countries shut down, and people were forced to quarantine in their homes, with restricted access to schools, businesses and all forms of socialization. As young and old searched for solo, outdoor hobbies, the bicycle once again became a craze. The National Association of City Transportation Officials described it as a “cycling explosion,” seeing a 110% increase in bicycle counts in the Southwest United States as well as a 50% increase in ridership on trails along the East Coast during the early months of the pandemic.

Bicycle culture connects people all over the country. Today more than 47.5 million Americans use bicycles in their everyday lives. So whether you ride your bike to work, are a professional cyclist or ride just for fun, be sure to pass by the Wright Cycle Shop to see where bicycle culture first took off.