Bi'cycle, a light vehicle having two wheels, one behind the other, attached to a frame upon which a seat is mounted, and propelled usually by the rider's feet acting upon cranks or levers. The first bicycle was invented in 1816 and was known as the draisine, from its inventor, Baron von Drais. It had two wheels connected by a bar, and the rider propelled the machine by kicking the ground alternately with his right and left foot. An improvement upon the draisine was the curricule, also called hobby horse and dandy horse, invented by one Johnson of England. This was followed by the velocipede, which in form and principle of construction resembled quite closely the modern bicycle, but the frame and wheels were of wood, the machine was propelled by the forward wheel and in construction was somewhat clumsy. The velocipede was introduced into the United States in 1866, and in the next three years velocipede-riding became very popular. The velocipede gave way to the high bicycle or ordinary, which was introduced in 1873, and for about ten years was in general use in America and Europe, when it was displaced by the modern safety bicycle. With the advent of the safety, bicycling became very general, and between 1888 and 1900 the manufacture of bicycles in the United States developed into a very important industry. During these years the wheel was used more as an instrument of sport and pleasure than as a vehicle for business. After 1900 the popularity of the bicycle declined, and it was used almost wholly as a business convenience. As such it is now in quite general use in all towns and in many places on country roads. A motor cycle consists of the ordinary bicycle fitted with a gas engine for propelling it. Since 1903 these machines have come into quite common use. The bicycle is a convenient vehicle, since it affords easy, quick and cheap transportation on city streets and in the country, where the roads are good. Its extensive use, together with the influence of the League of American Wheelmen, has accomplished considerable in promoting the good roads movement throughout the country.