Penny Farthings

In the mid 19th century people began to use machines instead of animals as a means of transport. In 1861 Pierre Michaux of France built the first true pedal bicycle – a velocipede, a cumbersome curiosity aptly known as the ‘boneshaker’. It was the first mass produced riding machine, and advertised as a genuine rival to the horse.

The velocipede reached New Zealand in the mid 1860’s. During the 1870s and 80s it was replaced by the elegant high wheeler ‘ordinary’ or penny farthing ‘bicycle’. Despite its popularity, the high wheeler was to last little more than two decades before disappearing as fast as it had appeared, being replaced by the ‘safety’ bicycle, with its chain, sprockets and similar sized wheels.

Since 1994 Oamaru has been manufacturing penny farthings, racing and touring them. The Oamaru Ordinary (High Wheeler) Cycle Club embraces a broad range of bicycle-related activities centered on the historical aspects of cycling. Such activities include riding in parades, picnics, tours and demonstrations, displaying bikes and memorabilia, research, writing and publishing cycle history, collecting bicycle literature and memorabilia, restoring cycles, recreating uniforms and costumes and learning trick riding.

If you would like to experience a high wheeler, you can mount one in the Oamaru i-SITE.

If you would like to purchase one, or have any inquiries, contact the Club Captain at E: [email protected]