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Bicycling in Minneapolis in the Early 20Th Century

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Bicycling in Minneapolis in the Early 20Th Century ing in Minnea Bicycl polis n 2010, Bicycling maga- zine named Minneapolis the top bike-friendly city in the U.S., displacing Portland, Oregon, for the first time. On June 10, the Nice Ride bike-sharing program Idebuted, and within 20 days, more than 10,000 trips had been taken on its 450 bikes-for-rent. Earlier in the year, bicyclists were allowed to resume weekday daytime use of the pedestrian-bus mall on Nicollet Avenue, a historically significant cy- cling location, after a 12-year hiatus. These accomplishments built on the 2008 silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community Award from the League of American Bicyclists and the 2009 estimate by cycling experts that the city operated about 120 miles of bike paths and lanes. Minneapolis Mayor R. T. Rybak traced this enthusiasm for the bicycle back to the 1970s when the first on-street bike lanes appeared. In fact, the city’s love affair with the bicycle began much earlier.1 Well after the end of the 1890s’ “bicycle boom,” Twin Citians continued to ride; Mrs. John P. Upham, about 1917. ing in Minnea Bicycl polis in the Early 20th Century Ross D. Petty In 1916 the Minneapolis Tribune “this city”—presumably New York. velocipede seemed to fade from crowed that its hometown was once In early 1869 the Tribune predicted local interest, at least as reported in considered one of the greatest bi- that even though no mechanics in the Tribune. It appears that Min- cycle centers in the United States.2 Minneapolis were yet producing neapolitans were still using bicycles, Minneapolis also has the apparently velocipedes, some dozen probably however, because an 1873 ordinance unique distinction of being the only would be imported into the city by banned sidewalk riding. The paper city near the turn of the twentieth spring. Sure enough, by February occasionally reported snippets of century to conduct traffic counts that a handful were being exhibited in bicycle news from other locations; included bicycles. Contrary to the Minneapolis (often for an admission for example, in 1878 a velocipede common belief that the end of the fee), and the “scientific velocipedist,” raced against a horse and buggy “bicycle boom” of the 1890s meant Prof. Sexton, was giving demonstra- in Sauk Rapids and won. This was a virtual end to cycling generally, tions at the Opera House on his probably a high-wheel, or “ordi- these tallies indicate that significant 50-pound machine. In April the nary,” model. By 1880 bicycle races bicycle use continued in Minneapolis Tribune reported that velocipedes were reportedly occurring in Indian- into the early 1900s. But automo- were becoming quite common on apolis and Milwaukee, and one was biles, perhaps with some assistance the streets of Minneapolis, but riders planned for Red Wing.4 from expanded electric trolley ser- were discovering that street cycling A roller-skating fad gripped Min- vice, would soon lead to a precipi- was more challenging than riding neapolitans beginning in 1877, but tous decline in cycling. on sidewalks or in a hall. Some early residents again became excited about The first pedal bicycle, called a enthusiasts were “now willing to sell bicycling in the early 1880s. An 1887 velocipede or boneshaker, took Paris their machines cheap.” 3 Minneapolis Tribune retrospective by storm in 1867–68. It was a heavy, After this early enthusiasm, the discussed a dozen pioneer wheelmen, two-wheeled hobbyhorse propelled by pedals on cranks attached to the front wheel (like a modern tricycle) Ross Petty, professor of marketing law and holder of the Zwerling Family Term Chair instead of the rider’s feet pushing at Babson College, Babson Park, Massachusetts, has written extensively on market- on the ground. The Minneapolis ing law. His work has been recognized for excellence by the Journal of Public Policy & Tribune first informed readers about Marketing, the Journal of Product and Brand Management, and the Academy of Legal this fad in September 1868 by re- Studies in Business. An avid bicycle commuter, he developed and taught an under- graduate half-course on the social impact of the bicycle, has presented papers at seven printing a story from the New York Cycle History conferences, and published bicycle-related articles in academic journals Times noting that the new sporting and other outlets. machine might soon be expected in Fall 2010 85 noting that some started cycling as ship of America” in what appears to roughly equal-sized wheels and a early as 1881–82. In 1883 bicycling be the nation’s first Six-Day bicycle chain drive) expanded bicycle popu- became a regular newspaper sub- race. These grueling contests took larity beyond athletic young people— ject. Articles in that year document place on monotonous indoor tracks mostly men—to include more men that bicycle races (along with horse and often included riding both day and women. With the exception of races) occurred in front of crowds and night with what little sleep a few professionals, women gener- estimated at 20,000 spectators and competitors felt they could manage. ally did not ride ordinary bicycles; that both Minneapolis and St. Paul Schock again triumphed in March, instead, they sometimes rode heavier, had formed high-wheel bicycle clubs, then lost in May to John S. Prince in less wieldy tricycles. The safety which went on “runs” and paraded front of 3,000 to 4,000 spectators in bicycle was readily adapted for in uniform during “drills.” 5 The ordi- Minneapolis, but was victorious in an- women with the “drop” frame that nary bicycle had arrived! other Minneapolis Six-Day in Decem- is still common today. By 1892 a visi- The Twin Cities also hosted ber. Louise Armaindo, a well-known tor to Minneapolis reported that the high-profile races and racers. At the female high-wheel racer, appeared city had more than 1,000 “wheel- end of 1885, William Woodside, the at some of these events, as well. Ten Irish Champion, set a record, riding years later, “ladies” Six-Day races were Men and women of the Flour City Bicycle 266 miles in 26 hours in St. Paul. In being held in Minneapolis.6 Club posed on Park Avenue, Minneapolis, January 1886 he was beaten by Albert By 1890 the pneumatic tire and 1890s; one ordinary (far right) among Schock in St. Paul for the “champion- the modern safety bicycle (with two the safety cycles. 86 Minnesota History In 1916 the Minneapolis Tribune crowed that its hometown was once considered one of the greatest bicycle centers in the United States. men,” including many female riders. Chicago. Around this time two other The men had multiple clubs and the Minneapolitans were making names women had the Ladies League Club.7 for themselves: Amelia Sells became Minneapolis’s interest in racing a professional bicycle racer, and continued with the safety bicycle; a A. A. Hanson a nationally known contest in May 1890 included sepa- distance rider. In August 1894, he rate heats for ordinaries and safeties. rode more than 376 miles in 24 hours About this time, one of the most and totaled 21,053 miles for the famous Minneapolis bicycle racers of year—the best record in the country.8 the era, John S. Johnson, began his career. He and his family had moved to the city from Sweden in 1881 when n addition to these cycling ce- he was ten years old. Enamored with lebrities, many Minneapolitans both cycling and speed skating, he Irode bicycles for local recre- won the national championship ice- ation, distance touring, and daily skating races in New Jersey in 1893. transportation. Between about 1895 Champion racer John S. Johnson of Minneapolis In August of that same year, he set and 1900 ridership mushroomed— a three-mile bicycle-track record as it did nationally—producing what of riders to ten miles per hour. In in Minneapolis a little more than a has come to be called the bicycle July 1897 the city council agreed to week after being the first cyclist to boom of the 1890s. By 1896 at least extend the asphalt paving on Nicol- beat the famed Arthur A. Zimmer- one Minneapolis church was offering let from Tenth to Thirteenth streets man in a League of American bicycle parking for attendees. While because the cedar-block paving there Wheelmen-sanctioned five-mile racing and touring were common- was the worst in the city and a “bete race from scratch (no head start). place, the city excluded cyclists from noir” to every cyclist.10 This race reportedly inspired Ignaz its many parks, fearing for the safety Bicyclists had to contend not only Schwinn to pursue his dream of of other park users. When a down- with horse-drawn vehicles of varying starting his own bicycle company and town portion of Nicollet Avenue was sizes but also with trolley cars and racing team. By 1896 “Johnny” John- paved in asphalt in 1895, however, tracks. Like other U.S. cities, Minne- son had purchased a $7,000 house the Tribune reported that the street apolis began experimenting with in Minneapolis with his winnings became a “solid mass of cyclists” horse-drawn trolleys in the 1870s. and sailed to Europe to race with enjoying the new surface every The trolley system then tried cable the Schwinn World Team. In France evening.9 Bicycle traffic became so cars, steam-locomotive cars, and, by Johnson set French records for the intense that the first traffic-control December 1889, electric cars. While half-mile and kilometer and a world police officer was assigned to the electric cars were faster and smoother record for the half-kilometer.
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