A Short History of the Motorcycle

Motorcycles have come to represent many different facets of American life. To some, they symbolize the freedom of the open road and the vast expanse of the Western and Midwestern states. For others, motorcycles are associated with youthful rebellion or adrenaline-charged risk taking. And in yet a third view of the same vehicle and subculture, bikes and those who ride them are perceived as dangers to law abiding drivers and citizens.

Given the strongly entrenched identifications that people have made, it is interesting to note that motorcycles have only existed for barely a century. So, Iowa motorcycle accident lawyer Pete Leehey would like to share some of the fascinating history that surrounds the rise of motorcycles. If you have any legal questions pertaining to motorcycle insurance, accidents, or other concerns, contact Pete today at 877-209-9452.

A Growing Industry

Unlike some inventions, motorcycles have no clearly defined “aha!” moment or identifiable originator of the concept. Instead, many different people arrived at similar products at approximately the same time. The earliest known example to be fueled by petroleum was developed by the German duo of Wilhelm Maybach and Gottlieb Daimler in 1885. Daimler and Maybach remain recognizable names, even now, which gives some sense of how important their work was for the development of motorized vehicles.

Over the course of the following decade, commercial production began, and the first motorcycle purchased in America changed hands in 1895. Around the same time, an American inventor coined the name that we still use, by putting “motor” and “cycle” together. In 1903, the most well-known motorcycles in the United States were first built as Harley-Davidson opened its doors. The development of different brands of motorcycles spurred an interest in racing, which pushed the designers to build bikes capable of greater speed while also proving more resistant to damage and malfunction.

Eventually, motorcycles would become a focal point of social gatherings for veterans who missed some of the aspects of life while deployed during World War II. These loose-knit groups became more organized clubs, and were eventually cast as “gangs” by those unfamiliar with the culture. Unfortunately, that is an image that is still prevalent today.

Contact Us

To speak with an attorney and motorcyclist who “gets it”, contact Iowa motorcycle accident lawyer Pete Leehey at 877-209-9452.