A Short History of Sidecars

Curious conveyances, sidecars. Few of us have ever ridden in one, fewer yet driven a rig. But there is a small, passionate number of sidecarists who love their three-wheeled machines, sometimes referred to as hacks or chairs, and a sizable number of companies that cater to these aficionados. The origins of the sidecar are in much dispute, but with the patenting of the “roller chain” in 1880, and the popularization of the “safety” bicycle (two equal-sized wheels with a chain driving the rear one), creative types developed very light sidecars, so an energetic young bicyclist could carry his damsel in an approved fashion… read more >