Queensland’s Cycling Craze Was Already Rolling in the 1880S!

Think cycling is a modern obsession? Think again!

Long before Lycra, carbon frames and electric bikes, Brisbane was already getting hooked on two wheels!

The first shipment of tricycles arrived in Brisbane in 1870, but it was during the 1880s that cycling really began to take off across Queensland.

In 1881, the Brisbane Bicycle Club held its initial meeting at the Belle Vue Hotel.

And these weren’t exactly the bikes we know today…

High-wheel bicycles - including the famous penny-farthing were the machines of the day.

The Brisbane Botanic Gardens even hosted novelty penny-farthing races, where, according to the State Library of Queensland, more riders fell off than stayed on!

Cycling was quickly becoming a serious spectator sport. By 1885, a bicycle carnival at Toowong was reported to attract up to 4,000 spectators!

But these early cyclists weren't just interested in racing.

On 12 December 1886, three Brisbane cyclists set off at 6:30 in the morning on a return ride to Humpybong - today's Redcliffe.

The roads were anything but easy!

After stopping for breakfast at South Pine, they continued towards Humpybong, where they encountered what was described as a “really bad road.”

They eventually reached the township shortly before midday.

At 4 pm, they began the journey back to Brisbane.

Near South Pine they encountered heavy showers, and then came the Bald Hills.

They finally arrived back in Brisbane at about 8:30 that night.

And by 1886, Brisbane reportedly had around 200 bicycles, with 50 being used for racing.

No GPS. No bike lanes. No suspension. No padded cycling shorts.

Just a tall bicycle, rough roads and an impressive amount of determination!

So next time you're cruising around Brisbane on two wheels, spare a thought for the cyclists who came before us.

Queensland's cycling craze was already well underway more than 140 years ago!

Would you have been brave enough to tackle the road to Humpybong on a penny-farthing?

Images are based on public domain pℎotograpℎs ℎeld by tℎe State Library of Queensland. Tℎey ℎave been carefully colourised and restored to bring tℎese ℎistorical scenes to life. Wℎile we ℎave made every effort to maintain ℎistorical accuracy, colourisation involves some interpretation, and minor inaccuracies or imperfections may occur. Image of G.E.B Timewell - Computer Generated

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Queensland’s Cycling Craze Was Already Rolling in the 1880S!

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