History of Cycling in Nova Scotia on Exhibit June 30

Why have bicycles been popular for so long? And why do they work so well? The answers are to be found in a new exhibit, Bikes: The Wheel Story, which opens at the Museum of Natural History in Halifax on June 30.

The exhibit explores the many ways people have used this wheeled wonder over the last century and a half for transportation, independence, recreation, exercise and fun.

"All ages of visitors will enjoy the eclectic bazaar feel of the exhibit," says Stephen Archibald, manager at the museum. "It is truly a place for the entire family."

There are many interactive elements to enjoy, including a bike path for toddlers and a speakers' corner that allows visitors to record on video their memories of good times on bikes. A series of bike-related posters provides the social context for an incredible array of real bikes, and a "sports shop" displays a variety of frames, rims, bells, lamps and generators.

The bikes come in all shapes and sizes: ladies', men's and children's bicycles and tricycles. There are racing bikes and working bikes, bikes designed for socializing, like the tandems, and others, like the Mikado Recumbent (1997), for specialized purposes. The antique bikes, including one of the oldest bikes in North America, stand in contrast to the new ones, like the Norco Men's Hybrid Bicycle (1997). Some, like the Boneshaker and the high wheeler replicas, are there to try, but it's not as easy as it looks!

Bikes: The Wheel Story is produced by the Canada Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa and will be on display at the Museum of Natural History from June 30 to Oct. 21. It is sponsored by CCM Cycle.

The Museum of Natural History is located at 1747 Summer St., Halifax. There is plenty of free parking for cars and bikes at the museum!