Who Killed the Recumbent Bicycle?

[DGUtley]

Who Killed the Recumbent Bicycle? - How a dominant technology became viewed as the only option, with no need for better-designed competitors.

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Recumbent bicycles, ridden from a reclined position, are faster than standard upright bikes, and many people find them more comfortable, too. So why are they such a rare sight on the road today? As engineering researchers Hassaan Ahmed, Omer Masood Qureshi, and Abid Ali Khan write, the answer comes down to a choice made almost a century ago.
The “safety bicycle,” better known today as “the bicycle,” was a huge hit almost from the time John Starley introduced it in 1885. The safety was easier to ride, safer, and faster than the high-wheelers that preceded it. It replaced the high-wheeler among racers and hobbyists while also turning bikes into a form of transportation and recreation for women and the working class.

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https://daily.jstor.org/who-killed-t...=pocket-newtab


Recumbent bicycles have never truly been associated with international cycling. Conventional safety (upright) bicycles have long been at the center of the cycling world, for both sport and transportation. This is despite the fact that recumbent bicycles are faster more comfortable, and more efficient than the upright bicycles. The aim of this article is to explain the historical and social perspectives that led to the rejection of the recumbent bicycle by utilizing the theory of Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) and Bijker's two power theory, providing a contrast with the adoption of the safety bicycle.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/4382901...o_tab_contents




https://www.bikelockwiki.com/what-is-a-recumbent-bike/

https://www.lightningbikes.com/rider...ory/index.html

[Peter1469]

It would take some practice balancing with the two wheel version.

[Standing Wolf]

I've never ridden a recumbent bike, but it has always appeared to me that they'd be difficult to steer and maneuver.

Of course it's impossible to ride one of those things without looking like a total douchebag, so that may have SOMETHING to do with their unpopularity.

[Docthehun]

I've got one sitting in my garage, brand new for a bike ten years old. I found it difficult to ride. Hard to turn and being so low to the ground were two features I disliked the most. Like much of my accumulated belongings, anyone willing to pay the freight or drive to Piqua could have it free of charge. At one time not so long ago, my bike collection had reached ten, mostly tandems. I had a couple of riverfront buildings and considered renting tandems as both buildings were adjacent to our local bike path. Sold both buildings to the city and since have gotten rid of almost all my bikes. Keeping a very cool three speed and a pedal pusher for real exercise. The recumbent can go!

[DGUtley]

I've got one sitting in my garage, brand new for a bike ten years old. I found it difficult to ride. Hard to turn and being so low to the ground were two features I disliked the most. Like much of my accumulated belongings, anyone willing to pay the freight or drive to Piqua could have it free of charge. At one time not so long ago, my bike collection had reached ten, mostly tandems. I had a couple of riverfront buildings and considered renting tandems as both buildings were adjacent to our local bike path. Sold both buildings to the city and since have gotten rid of almost all my bikes. Keeping a very cool three speed and a pedal pusher for real exercise. The recumbent can go!

Doc, I might take you up on the recumbent, out of curiosity.....

[Docthehun]

Doc, I might take you up on the recumbent, out of curiosity.....

Hey Dave. If you'd really like to have it, for you, I'll deliver! Free of charge! No argument accepted!

[Dr. Who]

I think that they are better for people with back problems than an upright bike. That said, unless you are riding them in dedicated bike lanes or on bike paths, being so low to the ground, they lack visibility in traffic and consequently, you are more likely to be hit by a car. Those that I've seen on main thoroughfares have been equipped with a rather long antenna-like pole and Day-Glo flag.

[Cletus]

Recumbents are really efficient. My biggest problem with them, for use around town, especially, is the fact they sit so low. I think that makes it more difficult for car and truck drivers to spot you. I have seen a lot of recumbents with flags on them to increase their visibility to automobile drivers.

Where I live, since 70% of the roads in my county are dirt, you are better off with a mountain bike.

[Cletus]

I think that they are better for people with back problems than an upright bike. That said, unless you are riding them in dedicated bike lanes or on bike paths, being so low to the ground, they lack visibility in traffic and consequently, you are more likely to be hit by a car. Those that I've seen on main thoroughfares have been equipped with a rather long antenna-like pole and Day-Glo flag.

You beat me to it.

[DGUtley]

Hey Dave. If you'd really like to have it, for you, I'll deliver! Free of charge! No argument accepted!

I'm in. Maybe I could throw in Indians tix?