History of cycling in Syracuse, New York facts for kids
Cycling has been a popular activity in Syracuse, New York, for a long time. People have used bikes for fun, getting to work or school, and even for sports since the late 1800s.
Syracuse was once a big center for making bicycles! The city had many bike factories. Some of these included Barnes Cycle Company, E. C. Stearns Bicycle Agency, and Syracuse Cycle Company. They made bikes that were used all over.
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The Rise of Bicycles in Syracuse
In the 1890s, bicycles became super popular, just like roller skates had been. At first, there were high-wheeler bikes with a huge front wheel. But then, the "safety bike" came along. These "low bikes" were faster and easier to ride, starting a huge cycling craze!
About 10,000 people in Syracuse rode bikes during this time. The city was known as a "hub of bicycle production." One very popular bike was the Yellow Fellow, made by the E. C. Stearns Company. This company was huge, employing 2,000 people and making 500 bikes every single day! Bikes were so popular that even streetcar companies saw their earnings drop.
By 1906, it was estimated that 1.5 million cyclists were in the United States. Bike makers across the country built 2.25 million bicycles that year.
Cycling as a Sport
Bicycling quickly became a popular sport. Even in 1888, wealthy young men in Syracuse were racing bikes. Early racers included John Wilkinson and William Van Wagoner. These professional and amateur riders used bikes made in Syracuse. They traveled across the United States, Europe, and Australia to compete.
In the 1890s, bike races were a big deal. Races like the Cicero Plank Road Race in Cicero, New York and the Century run were very popular. The Century run was a race of 100 miles (160 km) to Utica and back. Thousands of fans would come to watch these exciting events. Many cyclists aimed to complete a "century" ride, which meant riding 100 miles (160 km) in one go!
Syracuse Cycling Clubs
Many people loved cycling so much they formed clubs! The League of American Wheelmen was a national group for cyclists. It started in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1880. This League also managed amateur bike races in the U.S. Its membership grew to 103,000 people by 1898.
The Syracuse Athletic Association was formed in 1889. This club was important for young men in the city. They organized many sports, including cycling events. In 1893, they hosted a big Labor Day bike meet.
At this event, William Van Wagoner, a club member, tried to break a world record. He rode 1 mile (1.6 km) without using his hands! He rode with his arms folded behind him. He finished in 2 minutes and 29 seconds, beating the old record. A crowd of 5,000 people cheered him on at the New York State Fair grounds.
Other local clubs also formed, like the Syracuse Bicycle Club (SBC) in the early 1890s. Later, the Century Bicycle Club and Pastime Club were created. The Syracuse Athletic Association and the Syracuse Bicycle Club eventually joined together. They built a new clubhouse on the corner of State and Washington streets.
The Bicycle Market Changes
By 1896, there were too many bike manufacturers. This made the industry very competitive. Top bike brands were expensive, costing around $100. But soon, bigger companies started selling bikes for $75 under different names. Department stores then offered bikes for as low as $50. You could even find bikes for $40 at "auction" stores, but these cheaper bikes often broke quickly.
The bicycle industry in Syracuse reached its peak on March 1, 1897. This was during the annual bicycle show at the Alhambra hall. Hundreds of different bikes were on display. It was a very exciting time for cyclists.
However, things changed quickly. By 1900, 42 bike manufacturers (and later over 75 companies) joined together. They formed the American Bicycle Company (A.B.C.), often called "the trust." This company bought up many smaller companies, creating a monopoly. Even strong companies like E. C. Stearns Bicycle Agency sold their rights to this new giant company.
Because of this, the main centers for making bicycles moved to Westfield, Massachusetts and Hartford, Connecticut. Syracuse manufacturers had to start making other products instead of bikes.
Famous Syracuse Racers
Many cyclists from Syracuse became famous racers. They competed for local bike companies both in the U.S. and around the world. Some were even born in Syracuse!
- Eddie Bald (1874–1946) – A professional racer known as the Cannon Ball. He helped make Syracuse-made bikes famous in national races.
- John S. Johnson (1873–1934) – He rode a Stearns bike when he set an amazing record of 1 minute and 35 seconds for a mile in 1895.
- Earl Kiser (1875–1936) – Nicknamed the "Little Dayton Demon." He was part of the Round-the-World Yellow Fellows team in 1896.
- C. M. Murphy – A professional bicyclist who won races at Madison Square Garden. He was later hired by E. C. Stearns & Company to race their bikes in Paris, France.
- Marshall Taylor (1878–1932) – A famous racer who rode for E. C. Stearns Bicycle Agency in 1899.
- William Van Wagoner (1870-) – A top bicycle racer in the Northeast from 1888 to the mid-1890s. He later designed Barnes bicycles and even cars!
- John Wilkinson (1868–1951) – By 1880, he was one of the country's best bicycle racers. He worked for Syracuse Cycle Company and designed the Crimson Rim bike. Later, he designed the air-cooled engine for the Franklin automobile.
