1897 Bicycle Ads and Illustrations

We find it rather ironic that today we look at Transportation Alternatives as a grassroots, ground-up campaign. During the late 19th century, bicycle riders in Brooklyn were a dime a dozen. These riders did not have to stage Critical Mass protests, as bicycling was a necessary and accepted means of transportation.

Scores of bicycle ads ran in the Mar 10, 1897 issue of the Brooklyn Eagle. The reason for the slew of ads was “The Brooklyn Bicycle Show”, which was was open that week, and where both local and national cycle vendors showcased their products. That year, the crowds amassed to 35,000 during the week-long show. The bicycle vendors and accessory retailers that displayed their goods at the show and in the newspaper included: Frederick Loeser & Co, Remington Bicycles, J & T Cousins, T. Kelly, Ehrich Bros, Hunter Bicycles, Burt’s Bicycle Boots, The 20th Century Bicycle Head-Lamp and Driving Lamp, Keogh’s Body Shield, Rambler Bicycle, Smith Gray & Co, Pierce Cycles, Berkeley Cycle Co, Amphion, The Cleveland, Abraham and Straus, Winton Bicycles, Dayton Bicycles, and many others.

Below is a small gallery of these historic ads that ran in The Brooklyn Eagle’s pages:

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