Balance Bicycle

Invented by : Karl D.Sauerbronn

Invented in year : 1816

Balance Bicycle or Run Bike is a training Bicycle that helps children learn balance and steering. It has no pedals, no crankset and chain, and no training wheels. It can be a normal bicycle with pedals and related parts removed, or it can be purpose-built (especially for very small children, for whom normal bicycles are generally not available). It can have no brake, or it can have one or two hand-activated rim brakes. A Balance Bicycle is small enough for the rider to sit comfortably in the saddle and put his both feet flat on the ground, at the same time. The rider first walks the bicycle while standing over the saddle, then while sitting in the saddle. Eventually, the rider feels comfortable enough to run and "scoot" while riding the bicycle, then to lift both feet off the ground and cruise while balancing on the two wheels.

History

Karl Drais, a German  inventor invented the first Balance Bicycle. It was named 'Velocipede' and was the earliest form of a two-wheeler - without pedals. On June 12, 1817, he rode on this bicycle from Mannheim  to Rheinau (now a section of Mannheim). This incorporated the two-wheeler principle that is basic to the bicycle  and motorcycle and meant the beginning of mechanized personal transport.

Development in the invention of the Balance Bicycle

Following the invention, Bicycles with pedals and cranks were introduced by Frenchmen Pierre Michaux and Pierre Lallementin in 1868-1869.  

In 1869, two-wheeled velocipede with levers and rods tossing a crank on the rear wheel was invented by Scotsman, Thomas McCall.

The first bicycle with a chain was made in 1874 by H.J. Lawson. The bicycle was made up of two wheels the same size driven by a chain on the back wheel. It was called the Safety Bicycle.

In 1893 the design of the bicycle was changed to the modern diamond-pattern frame with a roller chain and pneumatic tired wheels.

The French  bicycle tourist, writer and cycling promoter Paul de Vivie, who wrote under the name Velocio, invented a two speed rear derailleur in 1905 which he used on forays into the Alps.

Ignaz Schwinn developed Cruiser Bicycles. B-10E Motorbike - which resembled a motorcycle but carried no motor was introduced in 1933. These Bicycles could endure abuse that could damage other bicycles.

In the 1970's, Mountain Bikes were developed. These were created for off-road cycling like traversing rocks and washouts, steep declines, dirt trails, logging roads, and other unpaved environments.

Role of the invention of Balance Bicycle in the development of human life

• Balance Bicycle as the earliest form of Bicycle lead to improvement in Bicycles and eventual invention of Pedal Bicycles.

• In modern times, a Balance Bicycle enables the rider to learn balancing and steering.

• It is an easy way for kids to adapt to Bicycling before actually Pedal Biking.