The first cyclists in the late nineteenth century distinguished themselves as modern, progressive and, above all, sporting. Riding the crude bicycles of the time, including the penny farthing, was risky and required agility and courage, so it was considered by definition as a sport. Cycle racing, on special tracks and on public roads, was one of the first mass-spectator sports.
With the advent of the safety bicycle, which was easier and more comfortable to ride, bicycles were also used for recreational purposes. The riders, members of the affluent class who could afford this expensive item, experienced it as a ‘freedom machine’, enabling flexible mobility at an unprecedented speed. The bike became popular for touring in the countryside and enjoying nature. Already by around 1900 some daring cyclists made long trips in Europe and America and even world journeys.
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