Treadmill on Wheels

Europeans had been developing variations of the modern-day bicycle since the 18th century. By the 1860s, a commercially successful and fully operational bicycle was taking over Europe.

Ballarat’s press closely followed the growing bicycle movement, reporting on the latest local and overseas developments.

There was much interest in Ballarat by the time the two-wheeled phenomenon reached town.

One of the first bicycle sightings was in 1869 when a group of cyclists rode their velocipedes to Buninyong. One reporter called the new vehicle ‘a sort of treadmill on wheels’.

Bicycles soon became a fixture of Ballarat’s social and cultural life. Velocipede races were held at local sporting carnivals, festivals and agricultural shows.

They were also given away as prizes at local fundraising events and fetes. Ballarat cyclists, such as foundry worker James Ivey, established themselves as regular winners of velocipede events held in Ballarat and Melbourne.

Not everyone welcomed the new addition to Ballarat’s roads. Reports of collisions between cyclists and horses were used by media commentators to highlight the dangers of two-wheeled vehicles.

The popularity of cycling increased from the 1890s as Ballarat’s roads improved and bicycles became more affordable. New developments in bicycle technology also made cycling accessible.

Riders who did not want to perch themselves on top of a penny-farthing now had the option of riding low on a tricycle.

The safety bicycle was introduced in the late 1880s with its chain-driven mechanism, pneumatic tyres and smaller, equally-sized wheels. Cyclists now had increased speed, safety and ease of riding.

Ballarat’s bicycle manufacturing industry also raised cycling’s profile. Ballarat riders could choose from a range of vehicles produced locally, including the Davies-Franklin models sold from the company’s store on Sturt Street.

Cycling gave women in particular greater freedom as they could go whenever and wherever they pleased. Women were exposed to new social and employment opportunities as they were able to travel with ease.

Ballarat women took to cycling immediately, participating in competitions as early as the 1860s.

They were initially met with resistance as cycling was seen as a male pursuit. One Ballarat Star reporter noted the absence of women during a ladies tricycle race in 1869. "For the sake of decencies", he wrote, "I am happy to say there were no entries".

As gender norms relaxed, so too did people’s perceptions of female cyclists. Increased numbers of Ballarat women joined the cycling movement.

By the 1930s, they established the Ballarat Women’s Cycling Club and organised the first female regional road race in 1936.

Ballarat’s mining and engineering sector shaped Ballarat’s bicycle industry. Local blacksmiths, miners and foundry workers used their skills to produce bicycles.

The Diamond Victor company was one of the first bicycle businesses to set up a store in Ballarat. By 1901, it was recognised as one of the leading and most modern cycling factories in Australasia.

Reproduced from Ballarat and District in 1901.

James Ivey, from the Miners’ Foundry, was one of the first local bicycle manufacturers. Ivey began making bicycles in the late 1860s and ran his own riding school three nights a week for interested cyclists.

Endean, Wilson & Company produced the popular Comet bicycles and sponsored an annual road race which attracted hundreds of cyclists from around Australia and New Zealand.

Reproduced from Ballarat and District in 1901.

Ballarat became a hub for bicycle manufacturing from the 1890s as the mining and metal industry declined.

Former metal workers and miners moved into bicycle production, making Ballarat one of the strongest bicycle manufacturing centres in Australia.

Loveland Bros built, repaired and sold bicycles at their Armstrong Street premises. The company also manufactured duplicate parts for boot-making machinery used in local factories. They later expanded into the motor-car industry.

Reproduced from Ballarat and District in 1901.

By 1907, there were 11 companies in Ballarat’s central business district catering to the town’s cycling needs.

Local bicycle stores usually consisted of a repairs department, a production area and a shop which stocked the latest bicycles and accessories. They also promoted local cycling by organising racing competitions and sponsoring cyclists.

Reproduced from Ballarat and District in 1901.

The Davies-Franklin Cycling Company was the most renowned bicycle brand in Ballarat between the 1890s and 1910s. Mortimer Franklin and WP Davies established their shop in Sturt Street in 1895.

They produced a variety of bicycles and components. The company had the largest network of agencies selling Davies-Franklin models across Australia. By 1904, Davies-Franklin had the largest bicycle factory in Australia, employing a total of 60 men and 150 agents.

Reproduced from Ballarat and District in 1901.

The local bicycle industry declined after World War One as businesses moved into the production of motorcycles and cars. However, companies such as Quayle and Gove continued Ballarat’s bicycle-making tradition into the mid-20th century.

Charles E Kiel was a former racing cyclist who opened his business on Sturt Street in 1891. Kiel stocked top-of-the-range bicycle brands such as Rover, Raleigh and Speedwell. He also sold cycling accessories and second-hand bicycles.

The popularity of bicycles in Ballarat spawned a number of local clubs catering to professional, amateur and recreational cyclists.

Cycling clubs have been integral to Ballarat’s social and sporting life. Since the 1880s, these groups have been organising cycling tournaments, athletic carnivals, safety demonstrations, riding classes and social events.

The Ballarat-Sebastopol Cycling Club (BSCC) is one of the oldest local bicycle groups, having started in 1879 as the Ballarat Bicycle and Tricycle Club.

The club eventually merged with the Sebastopol Amateur Cycling Club in the 1970s. Today, BSCC hosts a number of popular local competitions including the Les Brookman Open Road Race, the John Collier Handicap and the Joe Merrylees School Teams Time Trial.

Ballarat’s cycling clubs have created a fertile ground for champion cyclists. Ballarat has produced notable cycling champions such as Alan Crick, a two-time champion of the Midlands Tour in 1944-1945, and Ray Bilney who represented Australia at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games in the 1960s and 1970s.

Ballarat continues to be a cycling hotspot. Cyclists and cycling enthusiasts flock to the city for the annual Melbourne to Ballarat race, now in its 105th year, and for the Cycling Australia Road National Championships.