A story based on fact!

Narrated by the inventor himself, this story begins with a whopping bang! ... It is the unbelievable (but totally true) story of the invention of the best vehicle in the world: THE BICYCLE.

Here is why it needed to be told and why this subject is so timely & relevant:

+++ The bicycle is enjoying ever increasing importance and popularity! +++ The book gently plays on the theme of a sustainable mobility and playfully encourages debate as well as positive change. +++ The impulse for the invention of the bicycle came from a temporary global climate crisis - due to the eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia in 1815. +++ This story is true and still largely unknown!

The story:

1815 is where it all begins. The eruption of the huge volcano Mount Tambora was so immense that ash travelling around the world caused a drop in global temperatures the following year.

Some areas were severly effected, so too was Drais's homeland, the Duchy of Baden in Southern Germany. Rain and more rain fell. The summer saw fields covered with snow and at the market was little to be had. No one understood. But hunger as well as a shortage of well-fed and strong horses made life increasingly difficult.

Friendly Baron von Drais was worried, he knew very well that he had to do something about the situation. He was a fast-thinking inventor and soon he came up with an idea. One for a fabulously useful and utterly amazing, fun and yet totally new vehicle: something like a small wooden horse! One could learn how to ride on it without falling over. It was fast, faster than the post coach! And it was human powered. A new type of vehicle that did not run on oats so more food would be left for the hungry children! But just how did he come up with it?

The first bicycle, a "running machine", or "Draisine" soon became known as the velocipede or, the "Hobby Horse"! ... It became popular and for some it was a toy. But riding one was not easy for everyone. And, how does one ride a Hobby Horse if it doesn't have breaks? A story of failure and success, of broken wheels, upturned picnic baskets and spilled strawberries and of the ever-inventive mind.

Of course, soon enough Baron von Drais had some serious competitors. We witness endeavours to improve his running machine. Some were successful, others remained just crazy ideas. Models were diverse, there were some with two wheels, with three, or four. One day a mechanic called C. Benz placed a small engine into a tricycle - and the first (motorised) automobile hobbled down the roads of Mannheim.

Well, even Carl Benz quickly realised that his petrol driven automobile was a little smelly. So that's why we remember: The very first automobile was unmotorised and human powered - and this was ... The BICYCLE ! ... Towards the end of the story just one question remains: Bicycle or motor car, which is the better vehicle? And that really is THE PRIZE WINNING QUESTION!

... Ring-ring! Honk-honk!

A picture book with characterful illustrations throughout.