Bicycle

Bicycle, a form of velocipede (q.v.), consisting of two wheels, one of which is placed in front of the other. The wheels have varied considerably in size from time to time; at one period the front wheel was very much larger than the other, while of late years fashion has favoured wheels of almost equal dimensions. The rider, in the latter case, is seated on a saddle placed between the two wheels (sometimes, indeed, the seat is upon the hind wheel), and he propels the machine by means of treadles. Considerable speed has been attained by experts in bicycle riding, the mile having been covered in, less than two minutes, and 150 miles in six hours.