Coventry's Cycle Industry

As the Highfield Road topic was changing focus onto something else - and just as interesting in its own right - I thought it would be worthwhile beginning a topic about James Starley and his bikes. If nobody objects, I'll now move the relevant posts across to this one....

John Kemp Starley developed the first recognisably modern bicycle in Coventry.

Wasn't there a relief of a Starley cycle on the monument erected to his memory near Greyfriars Green?

Yep.... A 2009 photo: And this is an older photo I took in 2005 showing the other two sides:

According to the super book "Wheels Within Wheels" by Geoffrey Williamson, James Starley and William Hillman took out a joint patent in 1870 for the Ariel, the first of the "Penny Farthing" style of bicycle. As far as I know, they were made in Coventry, although many manufacturers soon sprung up with copies and variations of Starley's design in places like Wolverhapmton, Nottingham, Sheffield, Birmingham, London, Brighton, Cheltenham and King's Lynn.

I thought - and you can see it on the monument - the Ariel wasn't what we would recognise as a penny farthing - with a large driving wheel one side, and two small steering wheels the other, with one or two seats in between - a trike, really. However, this website says differently, so seemingly he did devise the penny farthing.

The hate of the bicycle and here is a Coventry bicycle club outside one of Coventry's pubs having a rest, picture off the net.

Hi Morgana, At least they are cheap to run and they have proved their worth. Now someone must be able to come up with the name of the pub. I have zoomed in but can't make it out.

Hi Dreamtime just found the cartoons so funny and connecting the saying being sent to Coventry with artist linking Coventry showing how we are perceived. Yes better for all our health too riding a bike. I suppose instead of us being known as being sent to Coventry we could always speak and say on your bike

This old photograph could be placed in a number of topics but here it is and it's a link to an interesting site for all things connected to the motor/cycle trade. Meteor Works, Queen Victoria Road

That's actually Garfield Road which was later renamed Rover Road but is better known as being the entrance to the market.

Thousands of bicycles around Oxford today, but one "jumped out" at me during my perambulation around that city!

Well spotted! I can read the "Coventry", what does the other text say?

Apologies for the lack of quality in the photo Coventry Eagle 5th Avenue 12 Speed