Silicon Valley Bikes: Passion, Innovation & Politics Since 1880 Exhibit Public Opening

Garden City Wheelmen, photographed at the 1919 San José relay vs. the Sanson Wheelmen of Stockton
(History San Jose Collection)

Starts: Sunday, July 27th 2014 at 12:00 pm
Ends: Sunday, July 27th 2014 at 4:30 pm

Location: Arbuckle Gallery at the Pacific Hotel, History Park
Admission: Free
Exhibit Sponsors: Garden City Construction, Wheel Away Cycle Center, Bicycle Express
San Jose Bicycle Club, Los Gatos Bicycle Racing Club Inc., Ampersand Ellipsis Jones LLC, Hellyer Velodrome

Bicycles have provided both affordable transportation and a social outlet around San José for over a century. The growth of clubs and organizations such as the Garden City Wheelmen led to a distinctive cycling culture within the community. Throughout the 20th century, racing events have been held at local velodromes, including the present track at Hellyer Park. Local innovations have enhanced the bicycling industry. In recent decades, community activism efforts, such as support for bike lanes and dedicated paths, have re-introduced cycling as a sustainable transportation method for the future.

Supplemented by objects from private individuals and organizations, Silicon Valley Bikes: Passion, Innovation & Politics Since 1880 will feature selected images and artifacts from History San José’s collection, including the 1842 Lefebvre velocipede, the world’s oldest human-powered vehicle.