James Starley Starley is celebrated as one of the most successful bicycle inventors and builders of the Victorian Era. His differential gearing, hollow bicycle tubing and alternating wheel spokes are still in use today. And his original bicycles remain popular amongst collectors today. Even Queen Victoria ordered two. Cyclists going down a steep hill on a penny farthing would often put their feet on the handlebars, so that if they were thrown off, they would hopefully land feet-first and avoid face planting the ground. "Learn to ride a bicycle. You will not regret it if you live."

Photo by Greg Boll on Unsplash

Mark Twain

1871

"The fastest speed on a penny farthing

bicycle (no hands) is 29.603 kph (18.394 mph),

achieved by Neil Laughton (UK) at the Preston Park

velodrome, Brighton, UK, on 14th November 2019."

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