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- Bicycles: Powering Possibilities - The Henry Ford is well-known for its transportation collections, including automobiles from the road and race track, innovative early aircraft, and railroad locomotives of staggering size. But our holdings also include an impressive number of two-wheeled vehicles. Several of them are featured in our newest exhibit, Bicycles: Powering Possibilities, located in Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation’s Collections Gallery (on view May 3, 2025 - February 15, 2026).
- May 06, 2025
- Collections - article
Bicycles: Powering Possibilities
The Henry Ford is well-known for its transportation collections, including automobiles from the road and race track, innovative early aircraft, and railroad locomotives of staggering size. But our holdings also include an impressive number of two-wheeled vehicles. Several of them are featured in our newest exhibit, Bicycles: Powering Possibilities, located in Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation’s Collections Gallery (on view May 3, 2025 - February 15, 2026).
- Members First: Engaging Experts - Bicycles: Powering Possibilities - <p>Join curator of transportation, Matt Anderson, for a look at 200 years of bicycle history, from the first simple draisines to the sophisticated electric-assist bikes of today. Enjoy a conversation on the design and development of the exhibition “Bicycles: Powering Possibilities,” now on display in the Collections Gallery at Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation through February 15, 2026. The exhibition features 17 bikes, along with profiles of 12 influential riders, racers and builders, plus selected accessories, documents and photos drawn from The Henry Ford’s collections.</p>
- July 23, 2025
- Collections - Video
Members First: Engaging Experts - Bicycles: Powering Possibilities
Join curator of transportation, Matt Anderson, for a look at 200 years of bicycle history, from the first simple draisines to the sophisticated electric-assist bikes of today. Enjoy a conversation on the design and development of the exhibition “Bicycles: Powering Possibilities,” now on display in the Collections Gallery at Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation through February 15, 2026. The exhibition features 17 bikes, along with profiles of 12 influential riders, racers and builders, plus selected accessories, documents and photos drawn from The Henry Ford’s collections.
- Group Posing with Bicycles, 1898-1906 - Bicycle riding became a popular American pastime in the late 19th century, particularly after the introduction of the safety bike -- with front and rear wheels of the same size -- in the mid-1880s. The men in this tintype, taken in a studio, used safety bicycles as props with which to pose for a group portrait.
- 1898-1906
- Collections - Artifact
Group Posing with Bicycles, 1898-1906
Bicycle riding became a popular American pastime in the late 19th century, particularly after the introduction of the safety bike -- with front and rear wheels of the same size -- in the mid-1880s. The men in this tintype, taken in a studio, used safety bicycles as props with which to pose for a group portrait.
- Columbia Bicycles Sales Catalog, 1892 - The Pope Manufacturing Company produced this catalog to sell Columbia bicycles in 1892. Buyers could choose between a number of "safety" and high-wheel cycles after paging through the catalog. The company also provided descriptions of bicycle accessories available. And if you were unsure about this new mode of transportation, check out page 38 on why you should ride a bicycle.
- 1892
- Collections - Artifact
Columbia Bicycles Sales Catalog, 1892
The Pope Manufacturing Company produced this catalog to sell Columbia bicycles in 1892. Buyers could choose between a number of "safety" and high-wheel cycles after paging through the catalog. The company also provided descriptions of bicycle accessories available. And if you were unsure about this new mode of transportation, check out page 38 on why you should ride a bicycle.
- Cargo Net, 2025 - Rad Power Bikes was formed in Seattle, Washington, in 2007. The company produced a range of electric-assist bicycles specialized for urban use, trail riding and cargo hauling. It also offered a variety of accessories like water bottles, tool kits and cargo straps that allowed riders to personalize their bikes to their own needs and preferences.
- 2025
- Collections - Artifact
Cargo Net, 2025
Rad Power Bikes was formed in Seattle, Washington, in 2007. The company produced a range of electric-assist bicycles specialized for urban use, trail riding and cargo hauling. It also offered a variety of accessories like water bottles, tool kits and cargo straps that allowed riders to personalize their bikes to their own needs and preferences.
- Set of Cargo Straps, 2025 - Rad Power Bikes was formed in Seattle, Washington, in 2007. The company produced a range of electric-assist bicycles specialized for urban use, trail riding and cargo hauling. It also offered a variety of accessories like water bottles, tool kits and cargo straps that allowed riders to personalize their bikes to their own needs and preferences.
- 2025
- Collections - Artifact
Set of Cargo Straps, 2025
Rad Power Bikes was formed in Seattle, Washington, in 2007. The company produced a range of electric-assist bicycles specialized for urban use, trail riding and cargo hauling. It also offered a variety of accessories like water bottles, tool kits and cargo straps that allowed riders to personalize their bikes to their own needs and preferences.
- Newspaper Delivery on Bicycles, circa 1935 - In America during most of the twentieth century, while adults motored around, children pedaled. Bikes transported children to and from school and around the neighborhood with friends. Bikes also were a vehicle for doing odd jobs. This young entrepreneur used his bike to deliver newspapers in Olean, New York.
- circa 1935
- Collections - Artifact
Newspaper Delivery on Bicycles, circa 1935
In America during most of the twentieth century, while adults motored around, children pedaled. Bikes transported children to and from school and around the neighborhood with friends. Bikes also were a vehicle for doing odd jobs. This young entrepreneur used his bike to deliver newspapers in Olean, New York.
- Advertisement, "Eclipse Bicycles Stand the Test," 1896 - In 1895, Tom Winder pedaled around the border of the United States. His journey of more than 20,000 miles took 274 days. Winder rode a stock bicycle made by the Eclipse Bicycle Company. The company used Winder's feat to advertise the quality, strength, and reliability of its product.
- 1896
- Collections - Artifact
Advertisement, "Eclipse Bicycles Stand the Test," 1896
In 1895, Tom Winder pedaled around the border of the United States. His journey of more than 20,000 miles took 274 days. Winder rode a stock bicycle made by the Eclipse Bicycle Company. The company used Winder's feat to advertise the quality, strength, and reliability of its product.
- Water Bottle, 2025 - Rad Power Bikes was formed in Seattle, Washington, in 2007. The company produced a range of electric-assist bicycles specialized for urban use, trail riding and cargo hauling. It also offered a variety of accessories like water bottles, tool kits and cargo straps that allowed riders to personalize their bikes to their own needs and preferences.
- 2025
- Collections - Artifact
Water Bottle, 2025
Rad Power Bikes was formed in Seattle, Washington, in 2007. The company produced a range of electric-assist bicycles specialized for urban use, trail riding and cargo hauling. It also offered a variety of accessories like water bottles, tool kits and cargo straps that allowed riders to personalize their bikes to their own needs and preferences.
- "Schwinn 1990 BMX and Youth Bicycles" - Bicycle Motocross -- or BMX -- bicycles grew popular with young riders starting in the 1970s. Modeled after motorcycles, BMX bikes were designed for dirt tracks and featured light frames, strong wheels, sturdy hand grips, and low gearing. The rugged bikes were widely used in racing and in stunt riding.
- 1990
- Collections - Artifact
"Schwinn 1990 BMX and Youth Bicycles"
Bicycle Motocross -- or BMX -- bicycles grew popular with young riders starting in the 1970s. Modeled after motorcycles, BMX bikes were designed for dirt tracks and featured light frames, strong wheels, sturdy hand grips, and low gearing. The rugged bikes were widely used in racing and in stunt riding.