Pedaling Through History: Black Innovators and the Bicycle Revolution

In this episode of Once Upon a Time in Black History, we explore the significance of the bicycle during the Jim Crow era and highlight the contributions of African American inventors like Matthew A. Cherry and Isaac R. Johnson. The bicycle symbolized freedom for Black Americans, and these inventors played a key role in advancing transportation technology. From Cherry’s velocipede improvements to Johnson’s foldable bicycle frame, their innovations shaped the cycling world and transportation at large. We also touch on Jerry Certain’s pioneering bicycle carriers, still used today by couriers worldwide.