Where does this stupid term "push-bike" come from?

Roastie · June 2007

Every time I hear someone use this term or read it, I become incensed! It is derogatory, demeaning and plain stupid because the only time I push my bike is when the chain has broken irreparably!

Now, I can understand a committed car or motorcycle driver/rider using it, but why on earth would any self respecting cyclist (bicycle rider!) perpetuate the use of this term? [:(!]

Unknown · June 2007

because you push the pedals with your feet?

perhaps, in the days of 'penny farthings' you had to push them before getting on?

Brock_71 · June 2007

I've got a push bike. [:)]

<hr noshade size="1">A bicycle is for life, not just for Christmas.

Bloke on a bikecp · June 2007

Kaaarm down. Kaaarm down.
Dosn't bother me.
I also still enjoy hearing "Hey Mister, your back wheel's going round". I've had it shouted at me since the sixties and when I hear it today it just gives me a warm fuzzy, everythings OK with the world feeling.

--
Basil W Brush

longers75 · June 2007

We used to know them as push-irons. Until you mentioned it I've never even thought why. Proper curious I am now.

Push- Alu?

Push-Tit?

Push-Carbon?

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~
 I'm just going outside . . . I may be some time.

MICHAELCYCLES · June 2007

I like 'Push-Tit'

Where does this stupid term "push-bike" come from?
From people like me who cant climb and end up pushing the bike up a hill!

Fab Foodie · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Random Vince

because you push the pedals with your feet?

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
This was always my understanding.

The pessimists of this world are rarely disappointed....
Fab's TCR1

GeeBee44 · June 2007

Several innovators contributed to the history of the bicycle by developing predecessor human-powered vehicles, including the velocipede. The documented ancestors of today's modern bicycle were known as pushbikes, Draisines or hobby horses. To use the Draisine, first introduced to the public in Paris by the German Baron Karl von Drais in 1818[3], the operator sat astride a wooden frame supported by two in-line wheels and pushed the vehicle along with his/her feet while steering the front wheel.

longers75 · June 2007

Just remembered we used to call them push-rods too.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~
 I'm just going outside . . . I may be some time.

BentMikey · June 2007

I think it's stupid too, I only came across this phrase here in England.

My bikes
My skates

If I had a baby elephant, I'd teach it to skate.

The Bosscp · June 2007

It's only called a push-bike to distinguish it from motorbike, as if you just say "bike" then without sufficient context it can either mean either a pedal cycle or a motorbike.
I don't mind it so much... but what about "push-iron"? [:D] now that is offensive

The Bosscp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by MICHAELCYCLES

I like 'Push-Tit'

Where does this stupid term "push-bike" come from?
From people like me who cant climb and end up pushing the bike up a hill!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

As in: "I had a puncture so I push - tit"
geddit...

ChrisKH · June 2007

Geebee's right the first bikes didn't have any transmission/chains. They were literally pushed. A sort of 'grown-up' LikeABike.

Baby elephants are so last year, darling.

AndyGates · June 2007

The great thing about linguistic vagueness is the opportunities it offers:

"I came in by bike today."
"Motorbike?"
"Nah, push-bike. Engines are for wimps." [:)]

No longer looking for a pennyfarthing as I've got some powerbocks instead. Casualty here I come!
It is by will alone I set my ride in motion.

top_bhoy · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Roastie

Every time I hear someone use this term or read it, I become incensed! It is derogatory, demeaning and plain stupid because the only time I push my bike is when the chain has broken irreparably!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You best seek out an anger management course - is it that important? Best just get out on the bike and enjoy!!

This is my bike:
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p66/ ... ure001.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p66/ ... ure002.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p66/ ... ure003.jpg

Roastie · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by AndyGates

The great thing about linguistic vagueness is the opportunities it offers:

"I came in by bike today."
"Motorbike?"
"Nah, push-bike. Engines are for wimps." [:)]

No longer looking for a pennyfarthing as I've got some powerbocks instead. Casualty here I come!
It is by will alone I set my ride in motion.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
How about:
"Nah, bicycle. Engines are for wimps."?

BigWomble · June 2007

The reason is that the bicycles of the early 20th century were made of heavy steel/neutron star, and if the rider was lucky, with 3 gears (none of that Rohloff frippery), although usually single speed. I rode one of these behemoths in my youth, and most hills meant that you had to get of and push - hills that a rider on a decent mountain bike could go straight up today.

Ta - Arabic for moo-cow

overmars · June 2007

Their called push bikes because you have to 'Push off' to get going.

________________________
The obstacle is the path

Browneaves · June 2007

On a similar topic, why do you ride a bike, but drive a car ?

I would suggest you ride a horse, you drive a bike (ie. apply force to make it move) and point a car

twowheels · June 2007

Push bike may have originated from eastern europe with its un-reliable {Lada} bicycle. Just need a heated rear saddlebag to keep your hands warm.

MrHulot · June 2007

As kids we used 'treader' - don't hear it much now. But kids don't use bikes like we did (if at all) - and before anybody says it, I'm talking about not that long ago.

Jacomus-rides-Gen · June 2007

Browneaves - the descriptive action of 'ride' or 'drive' applies to the manner that the person interacts with the vehicle.

For a vehicle where the operator is 'on' rather than 'in' the vehicle the term 'ride' is used. It is not a reflection of the motive power.

_________________________
Quote: "25mph is pretty fast when you aren't wearing a car..."

BentMikey · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by overmars

Their called push bikes because you have to 'Push off' to get going.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

LOL, only if you don't know how to use the pedals to start off properly. Can you tell I don't like the scooting start?

My bikes
My skates

If I had a baby elephant, I'd teach it to skate.

Unknown · June 2007

How do you feel about 'pushie'?

AndyGates · June 2007

Velocipede: four syllables.

Bicycle: three syllables.

Pushbike: two.

Bike: One, which is even better, but unclear.

I'm so glad they're not called rotary-reciprocating personal mobility devices.

No longer looking for a pennyfarthing as I've got some powerbocks instead. Casualty here I come!
It is by will alone I set my ride in motion.

Roastie · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by overmars

Their called push bikes because you have to 'Push off' to get going.

________________________
The obstacle is the path

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
No you don't. The dude from Cyclecraft seems to think so, but I've never seen "pushing off" as a prerequisite.

Roastie · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by AndyGates

Velocipede: four syllables.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Now that is be best term of all - it sounds cool and aspirational.

"Push bike" makes it sound like a drudge. I feel very strongly about this. I think that cyclists referring to their machines as push-bikes does our cause more harm than RLJing.

Eurostar · June 2007

The dictionary says that a pushbike doesn't have a motor.

Cadfael · June 2007

http://www.cycle-info.bpaj.or.jp/englis ... story.html

Take a look at the first bike in the list... 'The Hobby Horse'... now that IS a push-bike!

But even the others in the list... with direct drive of the front wheel could be termed 'push-bikes'. It is an old term for sure... and perhaps is not relavant to some of todays carbon fibre wonders.

I admit I am guilty of the 'Nah... a push-bike' response. I do not see it as a derogatory term... in fact I see more of a term of endearment. Push-iron I can also live with. But, in my part of the country they are also refered to as 'leg-irons'.. this I don't like, and I am not really the most PC of persons, but I do find that kinda offensive.

BentMikey · June 2007

I like iron horse as used for motorcycles. Doesn't really work for bikes though.

My bikes
My skates

If I had a baby elephant, I'd teach it to skate.

PhilofCas · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Cadfael

http://www.cycle-info.bpaj.or.jp/englis ... story.html

Take a look at the first bike in the list... 'The Hobby Horse'... now that IS a push-bike!

But even the others in the list... with direct drive of the front wheel could be termed 'push-bikes'. It is an old term for sure... and perhaps is not relavant to some of todays carbon fibre wonders.

I admit I am guilty of the 'Nah... a push-bike' response. I do not see it as a derogatory term... in fact I see more of a term of endearment. Push-iron I can also live with. But, in my part of the country they are also refered to as 'leg-irons'.. this I don't like, and I am not really the most PC of persons, but I do find that kinda offensive.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Beat me to it !, i have this 30 odd year old memory of a man 'pushing' his wooden bike along with his feet, that's got to be the origin surely ??

Where does this stupid term "push-bike" come from?

Comments

Categories