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Bicycling History Trivia Quiz

People the world over use bicycles for recreation, transportation, or even to make a living as an elite racer. Let's see how much you know about bicycles and the people associated with them.

A multiple-choice quiz by MageJack. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
MageJack

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
316,156

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
321

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The first true bicycle was the 'velocipede' (aka, 'boneshaker') and it was invented in the 1860s. What was the country of origin for this first bicycle? Hint

USA

Germany

Great Britain

France

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Question 2 of 10

2. The 'high wheel', or 'ordinary' bicycle, which used a large front wheel and a small rear wheel, was also known as what? Hint

Penny-Farthing

Bonebreaker

Deathtrap

Oblong

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Question 3 of 10

3. A major tire company's namesake was a veterinarian who developed a pneumatic tire for his son's racing tricycle to replace the solid wooden wheels then in use. What was his name? Hint

Michelin

Goodyear

Dunlop

Bridgestone

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Question 4 of 10

4. Who invented the first working (and marketed) derailleur for chain-driven bicycles? Hint

Tullio Campagnolo

Jacob Sram

Shozaburo Shimano

Paul de Vivie

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Question 5 of 10

5. Bicycle frames can be made from a variety of material, including steel, titanium, carbon fiber, and even bamboo.

True

False

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of these men was the first to win the Tour de France on five different occasions? Hint

Lance Armstrong

Bernard Hinault

Raymond Poulidor

Jacques Anquetil

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Question 7 of 10

7. Who was the first man to win all three of the major cycling tours (Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, and Vuelta a Espana)? Hint

Eddy Merckx

Jacques Anquetil

Bernard Hinault

Marco Pantani

8. Several organizations exist to help create 'linear parks' complete with pathways where cyclists and pedestrians can engage in recreation without having to compete with motorized vehicles. One in particular is dedicated to reclaiming unused railway corridors. Which of the following is it? Hint

Rails to Trails Conservancy

Local-Motion Initiative

Greenbacks for Greenways Group

Get It Back from Amtrak Alliance

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Question 9 of 10

9. Europe has a fairly large amount of cycling infrastructure, which is lagging somewhat on this side of the Atlantic. What is the largest/longest network of bicycle trails and greenways in North America? Hint

The Kodak American Greenway Program

The Allegheny Passage

La Route Verte

The Will Skelton Greenway

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Question 10 of 10

10. Bicycling ride events have become major fundraising opportunities for many groups. Which of the following diseases have major charity organizations that use bicycling events to raise money to help fund research and programs for victims and families? Hint

Multiple Sclerosis

All of these

Diabetes

Leukemia

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The first true bicycle was the 'velocipede' (aka, 'boneshaker') and it was invented in the 1860s. What was the country of origin for this first bicycle?

Answer: France

The Michaux company was the first known manufacturer of the 'boneshaker' bicycle. It was the first to be propelled using pedals. 'Velocipede' is Latin for 'Fleet Foot'. Previous two wheeled devices required the rider to push off of the ground with their feet.

2. The 'high wheel', or 'ordinary' bicycle, which used a large front wheel and a small rear wheel, was also known as what?

Answer: Penny-Farthing

The Penny-Farthing got its name because the difference in size of the wheels is similar to the difference in size between the old British penny and farthing (quarter penny) coins. These bikes were replaced by bicycles using chains to drive the rear wheel.

3. A major tire company's namesake was a veterinarian who developed a pneumatic tire for his son's racing tricycle to replace the solid wooden wheels then in use. What was his name?

Answer: Dunlop

Dunlop's son was able to win his first race on the new tires.
Goodyear invented the vulcanization process to stabilize rubber. Edouard and Andre Michelin developed the first removable pneumatic tire that didn't have to be glued to the wheel's rim. Bridgestone is a Japanese company named after its founder Ishibashi (in Japanese, 'ishi' is 'stone' and 'bashi' is 'bridge').

4. Who invented the first working (and marketed) derailleur for chain-driven bicycles?

Answer: Paul de Vivie

Paul's derailleur worked at the crank using multiple chain rings. Later bicycles worked at the rear hub. Most of today's geared bikes have a derailleur in both locations. The Campagnolo, Shimano, and SRAM companies all manufacture derailleurs today. There is no Jacob Sram, though. SRAM was made up from letters from the names of three company founders (Scott, Ray, and sAM).

5. Bicycle frames can be made from a variety of material, including steel, titanium, carbon fiber, and even bamboo.

Answer: True

Bamboo's strength allows it to be used to build bicycle frames that are surprisingly durable. Africa's Bamboo Bike program hope to use sustainable local materials to help improve industry through jobs and personal mobility.

6. Which of these men was the first to win the Tour de France on five different occasions?

Answer: Jacques Anquetil

Lance and Bernard have each won at least five times. Raymond never won the race, but was second on three occasions and took third five different times.

7. Who was the first man to win all three of the major cycling tours (Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, and Vuelta a Espana)?

Answer: Jacques Anquetil

Jacques again! Eddy and Bernard each repeated the feat, with Eddy winning the most times (11) of any of them. Marco won in both France and Italy (in the same year), but never won the Spanish tour.

Answer: Rails to Trails Conservancy

Rails to Trails Conservancy tracks and reports on trail building progress, encourages grassroots local programs, and promotes advocacy on a national level.

Answer: La Route Verte

La Route Verte is a long set of trails (almost 2,500 miles) that generally follows the St. Lawrence Seaway through the Province of Quebec. The Allegheny Passage runs from the Pittsburgh area to the Maryland border, where the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal greenway picks up and goes the rest of the way to Washington, DC. Altogether it is only just over 400 miles.

The Will Skelton Greenway is in my hometown of Knoxville, TN, and is only 3.6 or so miles long. The Kodak American Greenway Program is actually an organization that awards grants for the purpose of constructing greenway trails, but is not a greenway itself.

Answer: All of these

The Diabetes and MS charity organizations often put together their own events, while the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society sponsors a training program for its fundraising athletes and coordinates their entry into existing ride events.

Source: Author MageJack

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor trident before going online.
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