Question: To what extent did the invention of the bicycle as an alternative mode of transportation affect twentieth century Europe, specifically Germany, socially, economically, and environmentally?
The bicycle was a tool that helped demonstrate position in European society, in addition to change European society. The first bicycle invented in 1817, did not have pedals and was very heavy due to its material, however it was used as a fashion tool, demonstrating class and rank. As the bicycle developed further and further, from the “bone-shaker” in 1863— had petals but was still very heavy—, to the Penney Farthing in 1870 —large front wheel, small back wheel, and very dangerous—, to the “Rover Safety” in 1885—the first “modern bike” —, all …show more content…
The bicycle was an image used in social movements, like the women’s suffrage movement beginning in 1913 and the environmentalist movement in 1922. As the British society advanced in automobile manufacturing, people questioned its negative outcomes, which grew environmentalist awareness. “As auto-mobility accelerated, rising traffic and congestion, alongside the substantial reshaping of urban environments to accommodate the car, provoked widespread concern”(Horton). As individuals began to understand the damaging effects the new automobile industry would create, people decreased the effort towards saving species and began working to create more environmental driven lifestyles. People began to conform themselves with moving within their towns rather that form a huge social life where friends lives miles away. Likewise, state and city governments began to take action in order to make the effort towards environmentalism a bigger realm. For example around the early 1970’s in Freiburg, Germany, policies were made in order to reduce the amount of automobile ownership. Though people, liked the automobile as a new technological gadget, it was made very difficult to use due to all the restrictions made by the town’s laws. “Freiburg’s parking policy is designed to make car use less convenient and more expensive. […] In many residential neighborhoods, parking …show more content…
Due to the rising tensions of the war, Germany wanted to be the best nation and therefore was very competitive. The Netherlands, due to it’s neutrally in the First World War and it’s close geographic position to Germany, had a great influence on Germany.The bicycle is a fairly new discovery and therefore became popular quickly, to the point in which cycling unions were formed. Since the Netherlands were neutral in the war they were able to expand and focus on cycling as a leisure and sport tool. "In the Netherlands the major association was the ‘Netherlandsche Algemeene Wielrijders Bond’ (ANWB) […] For them, the bike was the first and foremost leisure tool and sports too” (Ebert). To illustrate, the Netherlands created cycling clubs because it was a form of promoting the bicycle to their society; as a fun mode of exercise. In fact, the ANWB of Netherlands accepted motor bikes and car drivers in order to attract tourists. As a result, Germany created the ‘Deutscher Radfahrer-Bund’ (German cyclist Federation). However their biggest concern was the sports aspect of cycling. The German Federation emphasized cycling as a competitive sport, to the extent that they built roads solely for cyclist. However due to WWI, Germany lacked the technology and knowledge of roads until 1927. Dr. Carl Henneking was a German transport engineer and planner who promoted cycling as a cheaper, more efficient form of transportation.
The bicycle was a tool that helped demonstrate position in European society, in addition to change European society. The first bicycle invented in 1817, did not have pedals and was very heavy due to its material, however it was used as a fashion tool, demonstrating class and rank. As the bicycle developed further and further, from the “bone-shaker” in 1863— had petals but was still very heavy—, to the Penney Farthing in 1870 —large front wheel, small back wheel, and very dangerous—, to the “Rover Safety” in 1885—the first “modern bike” —, all …show more content…
The bicycle was an image used in social movements, like the women’s suffrage movement beginning in 1913 and the environmentalist movement in 1922. As the British society advanced in automobile manufacturing, people questioned its negative outcomes, which grew environmentalist awareness. “As auto-mobility accelerated, rising traffic and congestion, alongside the substantial reshaping of urban environments to accommodate the car, provoked widespread concern”(Horton). As individuals began to understand the damaging effects the new automobile industry would create, people decreased the effort towards saving species and began working to create more environmental driven lifestyles. People began to conform themselves with moving within their towns rather that form a huge social life where friends lives miles away. Likewise, state and city governments began to take action in order to make the effort towards environmentalism a bigger realm. For example around the early 1970’s in Freiburg, Germany, policies were made in order to reduce the amount of automobile ownership. Though people, liked the automobile as a new technological gadget, it was made very difficult to use due to all the restrictions made by the town’s laws. “Freiburg’s parking policy is designed to make car use less convenient and more expensive. […] In many residential neighborhoods, parking …show more content…
Due to the rising tensions of the war, Germany wanted to be the best nation and therefore was very competitive. The Netherlands, due to it’s neutrally in the First World War and it’s close geographic position to Germany, had a great influence on Germany.The bicycle is a fairly new discovery and therefore became popular quickly, to the point in which cycling unions were formed. Since the Netherlands were neutral in the war they were able to expand and focus on cycling as a leisure and sport tool. "In the Netherlands the major association was the ‘Netherlandsche Algemeene Wielrijders Bond’ (ANWB) […] For them, the bike was the first and foremost leisure tool and sports too” (Ebert). To illustrate, the Netherlands created cycling clubs because it was a form of promoting the bicycle to their society; as a fun mode of exercise. In fact, the ANWB of Netherlands accepted motor bikes and car drivers in order to attract tourists. As a result, Germany created the ‘Deutscher Radfahrer-Bund’ (German cyclist Federation). However their biggest concern was the sports aspect of cycling. The German Federation emphasized cycling as a competitive sport, to the extent that they built roads solely for cyclist. However due to WWI, Germany lacked the technology and knowledge of roads until 1927. Dr. Carl Henneking was a German transport engineer and planner who promoted cycling as a cheaper, more efficient form of transportation.