Flashback

E.C. Stearns & Company produced the Yellow Fellow bike models in the late 1800s.

SPIN CITY

Syracuse was once a major player in the bike industry

BY CHRIS MELFI

For someone just getting acquainted with Syracuse history, it can be difficult to keep track of what the city has been known for. First, Syracuse was “The Salt City” and later it claimed the moniker “Typewriter City.” But in between those tales of two cities, Syracuse was a major player in the bicycle industry. Over a dozen manufacturers and many racers called Syracuse home, which first saw designated bike lanes in 1897. In recent years, Syracuse has been striving to rediscover its bike culture by implementing its Bike Plan and bringing in a ride-share program, which hit the brakes in the summer of 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

In the late 19th century, the bicycle industry was booming, with more than 300 major players in the market. Some bikes sold for more than $100. Along with the nearly 20 bicycle manufacturers in Syracuse around that time, there were maintenance shops and other businesses that catered to the industry. Among the most notable innovators were E.C. Stearns & Company, who produced the Yellow Fellow models, and Alexander Brown, who, besides inventing the Smith Premier Typewriter, also invented the pneumatic tube and two-speed gear for bicycles.

E.C. Stearns & Company pitted their lightweight Yellow Fellow bike against an Empire State Express train, the holder of the land speed record, in 1896. Experienced riders on a sextuplet Yellow Fellow pulled up next to the train in Solvay, reaching speeds of 45 mph and edging the train out by a few lengths after the half mile race. An impressive feat, to be sure, but it is doubtful the Yellow Fellow could have kept up with the Empire State Express train’s record of 112.5 miles per hour.

With a strong connection to cycling history, it is clear to see why Syracuse is keen on bringing biking infrastructure into the 21st century. Syracuse’s Bike Plan cites economic, health, equity and safety advantages as major reasons to revitalize bike culture. Besides being a way to connect neighborhoods and a means of exercise, bike lanes allow for the urban exploration of Syracuse, a city teeming with natural beauty within and without the city center. With over 9.5 miles of bike lanes, a blossoming downtown, and rich, relevant history, Syracuse is poised to re-enter the cycling world. Chris Melfi is support services coordinator at Onondaga Historical Association.

PHOTO COURTESY OHA