Image showing a variety of bikes over the years

Illustration by Patrick Boyer; AKG London/SuperStock (old bicycles); LJM Photo/Design Pics/Offset (wheelchair bike); iStockPhoto/Getty Images (dirt bike); clu/Getty Images (Penny Farthing); LightField Studios/Shutterstock.com (straw hat); Daniel Milchev/Getty Images (BMX); ullstein bild/The Granger Collection (woman on old bicycle)

Bicycle Mania

How a once-hated contraption won over the world

By Kristin Lewis, with Tod Olson

From the September 2023 Issue

Learning Objective: to compare and contrast ideas from two articles

Lexiles: 810L, 700L

Featured Skill: Synthesis,

Other Key Skills: author’s craft, compare and contrast, key ideas and details, cause and effect, figurative language

Listen to this story read aloud.

AS YOU READ

Look for reasons bicycles became so popular.

Bicycle Mania

How a once-hated contraption won over the world

By Kristin Lewis, with Tod Olson

Horror! Disaster! Catastrophe!

It was the 1860s, and something terrible had been unleashed. It was tearing through cities and towns across Europe and America, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

This terrible menace wasn’t a monster.

It wasn’t a disease or a crime wave.

It was a bicycle!

Horror! Disaster! Catastrophe!

It was the 1860s, and something terrible had been unleashed. It was tearing through cities and towns across Europe and America. It was leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

This terrible menace wasn’t a monster.

It wasn’t a disease or a crime wave.

It was a bicycle!

When you think about a bicycle, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s the exhilarating feeling of flying down a hill or coasting through your neighborhood with friends. Maybe it’s a jaw-dropping video of a BMX rider flipping through the air.

If you lived in the 1860s, you might have a very different opinion of bicycles. Back then, the bicycle was a relatively new invention—and one that many people despised.

Yet today bicycles are everywhere. By some estimates, there are more than 2 billion of them on the planet.

So how did the bicycle win over the world?

When you think about a bicycle, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s the joy of flying down a hill or coasting through your neighborhood with friends. Maybe it’s a jaw-dropping video of a BMX rider flipping through the air.

If you lived in the 1860s, you might have a very different opinion of bicycles. Back then, the bicycle was a new invention. And many people despised it.

Yet today bicycles are everywhere. By some estimates, there are more than 2 billion of them on the planet.

So how did the bicycle win over the world?

Thrilling and Dangerous

Gettyimages.com

Man riding a velocipede

Bicycles rolled into the world in the early 1800s. Back then, most people got around on their own two feet or, if they could afford it, with a horse and carriage.

Early bicycles offered a new way to get around. To ride one, you straddled the seat, put your feet on the ground, and walked as fast as you could. That’s because they didn’t have pedals.

It wasn’t until the early 1860s that bicycles started to catch on. By then, these contraptions were called velocipedes. They had pedals and other features that earlier bicycles did not.

What was it like to ride one?

Thrilling—and dangerous.

Some velocipedes were so tall that riders’ feet couldn’t touch the ground. Balancing on one was tough. Many had wheels of uneven sizes—for instance, small in the back and giant in the front. Because the wheels were metal, every bump made riders feel like their bones might be jostled right out of their skin.

Accidents were common. Hordes of riders careening down streets and sidewalks scared horses and crashed into pedestrians. Riders flew over handlebars, tumbled off bridges, and shattered bones in gruesome falls.

It was chaos.

By the late 1860s, many people were calling for something to be done. On a few occasions, public outrage erupted into violence, with angry mobs smashing velocipedes and chasing riders off. Several cities went so far as to ban them.

By 1870, velocipedes had all but vanished in many cities. But that would not be the end of the bicycle.

Bicycles rolled into the world in the early 1800s. Back then, most people walked or—if they could afford it—used a horse and carriage.

Early bicycles offered a new way to get around. But they didn’t have pedals. So you straddled the seat, put your feet on the ground, and walked as fast as you could.

In the early 1860s, bicycles started to catch on. By then, these contraptions were called velocipedes. They had pedals.

What was it like to ride one?

Thrilling—and dangerous.

Some velocipedes were so tall that riders’ feet couldn’t touch the ground. Balancing on one was tough. Many had a small wheel in the back and giant one in the front. The wheels were metal. Every bump made riders feel like their bones might bounce right out of their skin.

It was chaos.

By the late 1860s, many people were calling for something to be done. A few times, public outrage turned violent. Angry mobs chased riders and smashed velocipedes. Several cities banned them.

By 1870, velocipedes had all but vanished in many cities. But that was not the end of the bicycle.

Bicycle Mania

In 1885, a man in England named John Kemp Starley began working on something new. Like many inventors at the time, Starley was determined to make a better bicycle.

Starley’s new contraption had two equal-sized wheels. It kept riders close to the ground—so if you did fall off, you didn’t have far to tumble. Gears and a device called a chain drive made it stable, safe, and fast. Air-filled tires made for a smooth, comfortable ride.

Starley named his invention the Rover Safety Bicycle.

John Kemp Starley lived in England. In 1885, he began working on something new. Like many inventors at the time, Starley wanted to make a better bicycle.

Starley’s new contraption had two equal-sized wheels. It kept riders close to the ground. If you fell off, you didn’t have far to tumble. Gears and a device called a chain drive made it stable, safe, and fast. Air-filled tires made for a smooth ride.

Starley named his invention the Rover Safety Bicycle.

Gettyimages.com

Rover Safety Bicycle

And the public was obsessed. In fact, by the 1890s, bicycle mania was sweeping the United States—and the world. Suddenly, it seemed everyone had a bicycle, or if they didn’t, they really wanted one. Factories cranked out bicycles at lightning speed. Singers crooned about the joys of cycling. Writers praised bicycles for making people healthy and strong.

Affordable and practical, the bicycle was for everyone. It didn’t matter if you were rich or poor, old or young. With a bicycle, you could go just about anywhere you wanted, whenever you wanted.

Such freedom of travel had never existed in history.

And the public was obsessed. By the 1890s, bicycle mania was sweeping the United States and the world. Suddenly, it seemed everyone had a bicycle. Factories cranked out bicycles at lightning speed. Singers crooned about the joys of cycling. Writers praised bicycles for making people healthy and strong.

Affordable and practical, the bicycle was for everyone—rich or poor, old or young. With a bicycle, you could go just about anywhere you wanted, whenever you wanted.

Such freedom of travel had never existed in history.

Devoted Fans

Among the bicycle’s many fans, women became some of the most devoted. In the 1890s, life for women in America was very different. Back then, women weren’t allowed to vote. Few jobs were open to them, and their options for travel were limited. They were mostly expected to stay at home and take care of the house and children. They couldn’t even attach a horse to a carriage; that was considered a man’s job.

With bicycles, women suddenly had more freedom and independence. They could finally get out of the house—and they did. They rode to social events and to church. They formed their own racing clubs.

Bicycles even helped women fight for the right to vote, giving them an easy way to get to meetings and marches. Susan B. Anthony, who helped start the movement to win the vote, said the bicycle “has done more to emancipate women than any one thing in the world.”

Women became some of the bicycle’s most devoted fans. In the 1890s, life for women in America was very different. Back then, women weren’t allowed to vote. Few jobs were open to them. Their options for travel were limited. They were mostly expected to stay at home and take care of the house and children.

With bicycles, women had more freedom and independence. They could finally get out of the house—and they did. They rode to social events and to church. They formed their own racing clubs.

Bicycles even helped women fight for the right to vote. How? They now had an easy way to get to meetings and marches. Susan B. Anthony helped start the movement to win the vote. She said the bicycle “has done more to emancipate women than any one thing in the world.”

Extraordinary Adventure

The bicycle changed life in many ways—and not just for women. It led to the construction of new roads for the millions of new cyclists. It led to a new sport; bicycle racing was part of the first modern Olympics in 1896. It led to new fashions as women swapped their long skirts—which could get tangled in wheels—for practical pants called bloomers.

The bicycle even led to flight. In 1903, two bicycle mechanics, brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright, made the first successful powered airplane. They used their knowledge of how bicycles work to build it.

As the 20th century dawned, the entire world seemed to be racing into a bright future on a shiny bicycle. The bicycle became a symbol of innovation, of possibility.

Indeed, the bicycle had made it possible for an ordinary person to go on an extraordinary adventure. Open a newspaper from the time, and you might see an advertisement showing a bicycle flying through outer space.

The bicycle changed life in many ways—and not just for women. It led to new roads being built for the millions of new cyclists. It led to a new sport; bicycle racing was part of the first modern Olympics in 1896. It led to new fashions. Women swapped their long skirts—which could get tangled in wheels—for practical pants called bloomers.

The bicycle even led to flight. In 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first successful powered airplane. The brothers were bicycle mechanics. They used their knowledge of how bicycles work to build their airplane.

As the 20th century dawned, the entire world seemed to be racing into a bright future on a bicycle. The bicycle became a symbol of innovation, of possibility.

Still on a Roll

In today’s world of fast cars, high-speed trains, and supersonic jets, you might expect the bicycle to be on its way out. But the bicycle is still on a roll. In fact, it is the most common form of transportation on the planet.

Innovation has continued too. Now there are road bikes, dirt bikes, electric bikes, and adaptive bikes for people with disabilities. In parts of the world where cars are too expensive for most people to own, bicycles are the way to get from place to place.

Like people in the 1890s, we ride our bikes for exercise and for sport, to explore and to get to where we need to go. We also ride because bicycles, unlike many other forms of transportation, don’t pollute the environment.

And of course, we ride because on a bicycle, we feel like we can fly.

Innovation has continued too. Now there are road bikes, dirt bikes, electric bikes, and adaptive bikes for people with disabilities. In some parts of the world, cars are too expensive for most people to own. So they use bicycles to get from place to place.

Like people in the 1890s, we ride our bikes for exercise, for sport, to explore, and to get to where we need to go. We also ride because bicycles don’t pollute the environment.

And of course, we ride because on a bicycle, we feel like we can fly.

AS YOU READ

Look for reasons jet packs haven’t become more popular.

Will Jet Packs Take Off?

The technology has existed for decades. So why aren’t you flying to school with one?

By Kristin Lewis, with Adee Braun

It was January 15, 1967, and 62,000 fans filled a stadium in Los Angeles. Another 51 million sat at home, eyes glued to their TV screens.

It was the first-ever Super Bowl. But the game wouldn’t be the only spectacle that day.

At halftime, two men—William “Willy” Suitor and Bob Courter—took to the field. Strapped to each of their backs were three silver tanks.

With a whoosh, the two men began to rise slowly—impossibly!—off the ground. And then? They began to fly! For some 20 glorious seconds, they sailed through the air.

When they landed gracefully back on the field, the crowd erupted into applause. At home, spectators marveled at what they had just seen. Flying humans!

Suddenly, anything seemed possible.

It was January 15, 1967. A stadium in Los Angeles was filled with 62,000 fans. Another 51 million sat at home, eyes glued to their TV screens.

It was the first-ever Super Bowl. But the game wasn’t the only spectacle that day.

At halftime, two men—William “Willy” Suitor and Bob Courter—took to the field. Three silver tanks were strapped to each of their backs.

With a whoosh, the two men began to rise slowly—impossibly!—off the ground. And then? They began to fly! For 20 seconds, they sailed through the air.

Then they landed gracefully back on the field. The crowd erupted into applause. At home, spectators marveled at what they had just seen. Flying humans!

Suddenly, anything seemed possible.

The Dream of Flight

Gettyimages.com

A man flying with a rocket belt in 1964

Humans have been fascinated by flight since our earliest ancestors looked up with awe and envy at birds fluttering across the sky. It wasn’t until the late 1700s, however, with the invention of hot air balloons, that we finally found a way into the clouds. Airplanes wouldn’t come along until the early 20th century.

Then, in the 1950s, the U.S. Army began to explore the possibility of a new flying machine, though the Army’s reasons were more practical than turning humans into birds. The Army wanted a way for soldiers to get over rough terrain easily.

And so the Army hired a company called Bell Aerosystems in Niagara Falls, New York, to make a jet pack. Bell engineered a device that came to be called a Rocket Belt. It used rockets to lift a person off the ground.

Unfortunately, it had some problems.

Humans have been fascinated by flight since our earliest ancestors looked up at birds fluttering across the sky. It wasn’t until the late 1700s that we finally found a way into the clouds—with hot air balloons. Airplanes wouldn’t come along until the early 20th century.

Then, in the 1950s, the U.S. Army began to explore a new flying machine. The Army’s reasons were more practical than turning humans into birds. It wanted a way for soldiers to get over rough terrain easily.

And so the Army hired a company called Bell Aerosystems to make a jet pack. The company was based in Niagara Falls, New York. It engineered a device that came to be called a Rocket Belt which used rockets to lift a person off the ground.

Unfortunately, it had some problems.

Courtesy of General Mills

Sugar Jets Cereal

First of all, it was expensive. It was also hard to maneuver and—at a whopping 300 pounds—very heavy. What’s more, it required rigorous training to fly. Suitor, who was one of the first to test the device, once said the training was like learning “to balance while standing on a beach ball on the ocean.” Over the years, fliers suffered shattered kneecaps, broken arms, and singed skin.

By the 1960s, the Army had abandoned the program, deciding the technology was too costly for something that could stay in the air for only a few seconds. But by then, the public was enamored. In popular culture, jet packs seemed to be everywhere—in cartoons, comic books, movies, and cereal advertisements. Dazzling demonstrations like the one at the Super Bowl caused sensations.

The obsession made sense. The 1960s marked the dawn of the space age. Technology was advancing at lightning speed. By the end of the decade, humans would be walking on the moon. It seemed only logical that everyone would soon be getting around with their own personal flying machine. Isaac Asimov, a popular science fiction writer, predicted that by the year 2000, jet packs would be “as common as a bicycle.”

First of all, it was expensive. It was also hard to maneuver. And—at 300 pounds—it was very heavy. It also required rigorous training to fly. Suitor was one of the first to test the device. He said the training was like learning “to balance while standing on a beach ball on the ocean.” Over the years, fliers suffered shattered kneecaps, broken arms, and singed skin.

By the 1960s, the Army had abandoned the program. It had decided the technology was too costly for something that stayed in the air for only a few seconds. But by then, the public was enamored. Jet packs could be seen in cartoons, comic books, movies, and cereal advertisements. Dazzling demonstrations like the one at the Super Bowl caused sensations.

The obsession made sense. The 1960s marked the dawn of the space age. Technology was advancing at lightning speed. By the end of the decade, humans would be walking on the moon. It seemed only logical that everyone would soon have their own personal flying machine. Isaac Asimov, a popular science fiction writer, predicted that by the year 2000, jet packs would be “as common as a bicycle.”

Zipping Around

Yet here we are in 2023, and the sky isn’t exactly filled with flying people. That’s because jet packs still have many challenges. They’re still expensive, heavy, and impractical.

According to Tarunraj Singh, an engineering professor at the University at Buffalo, one of the biggest challenges is maneuverability. When you’re in the air, it’s tough to stay upright. “The flier needs to be skilled enough to control it,” he says. “It’s incredibly difficult to stabilize.”

But even if jet packs were made safe and affordable, then what? Imagine everyone zipping around above our heads. It would be chaotic—even deadly. People would be crashing into each other and plummeting to the ground.

So should we give up our jet pack dreams?

Yet it’s now 2023, and the sky isn’t filled with flying people. That’s because jet packs still have many challenges. They’re still expensive, heavy, and impractical.

Tarunraj Singhis is an engineering professor at the University at Buffalo. He says that one of the biggest challenges is maneuverability. When you’re in the air, it’s tough to stay upright. “The flyer needs to be skilled enough to control it,” he says. “It’s incredibly difficult to stabilize.”

But even if jet packs were safe and affordable, then what? Imagine everyone zipping around above our heads. It would be chaotic—even deadly. People would be crashing into each other and dropping to the ground.

So should we give up our jet pack dreams?

Flying Into the Future

Maybe not. Over the past decade, there have been a number of exciting innovations. Several companies now sell recreational water-powered jet packs, which can fly above rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water.

Maybe not. Recently, there have been some exciting innovations. Several companies now sell water-powered jet packs for having fun. They can fly above rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water.

Then there is the Jet Suit, from Gravity Industries. It has two small jet engines on each arm and a larger engine on the back. It can fly for up to four minutes. According to Richard Browning, head of Gravity Industries, the Jet Suit is safer and lighter than early jet pack designs. One possible use is to enable medics to get to hard-to-reach places after natural disasters.

Flying with the Jet Suit is a “dreamlike” experience, says Browning. “The ties of gravity fall away, and it’s just peaceful. Then you can simply think about where you want to go and go there.”

So who knows?

Maybe one day you will fly to school with a jet pack after all.

Then there is the Jet Suit, from Gravity Industries. It has two small jet engines on each arm. It has a larger engine on the back. It can fly for up to four minutes. Richard Browning is the head of Gravity Industries. He says the Jet Suit is safer and lighter than early jet pack designs. One possible use is to help medics get to hard-to-reach places after natural disasters.

So who knows?

Maybe one day you will fly to school with a jet pack after all.

Writing Prompt

Do you think jet packs could become as popular as bicycles? Why or why not? Use text evidence to support your ideas.

Writing Prompt

Do you think jet packs could become as popular as bicycles? Why or why not? Use text evidence to support your ideas.

^{This article was originally published in the September 2023 issue.}

Slideshows (1)

Audio ()

Activities (10)

Quizzes (1)

Answer Key (1)

Slideshows (1)

Audio ()

Activities (10)

Quizzes (1)

Answer Key (1)

1. Prepare to Read

2. Read and Discuss

3. Write About It

4. Writing Spotlight

5. Conneccted Reading

Essential Questions: How do advances in technology affect society? What causes something to become popular? What drives innovation?

1. PREPARE TO READ (15 MINUTES)

Do Now: Journal (5 minutes)

Project the following on your whiteboard for students to respond to in their writing journals or on a sheet of paper:

Respond to one of the prompts below.

What’s your favorite place to ride a bike? Describe this place and the experience of riding your bike there using vivid verbs and adjectives.

Design your own bicycle of the future. What makes your design unique? In what ways is it like a typical bicycle of today?

Make an argument for why traveling by bike is better than traveling by foot, car, or airplane

Write a poem titled “Ode to a Bicycle.” (An ode is a type of poem that expresses the writer’s praise for a specific person, place, or thing.)

Think of a great memory you have that includes a bike. Write a super-short story based on that memory.

Have students turn and share what they wrote with a neighbor.

Preview Vocabulary (10 minutes)

Project the Vocabulary Slideshow on your whiteboard. Review the definitions and complete the activity as a class. The audio pronunciations of the words and a read-aloud of the definitions are embedded on the slides. Highlighted words: careening, contraptions, emancipate, enamored, innovation, menace, maneuverability, terrain.

Do Now: Journal (5 minutes)

Project the following on your whiteboard for students to respond to in their writing journals or on a sheet of paper:

Respond to one of the prompts below.

What’s your favorite place to ride a bike? Describe this place and the experience of riding your bike there using vivid verbs and adjectives.

Design your own bicycle of the future. What makes your design unique? In what ways is it like a typical bicycle of today?

Make an argument for why traveling by bike is better than traveling by foot, car, or airplane

Write a poem titled “Ode to a Bicycle.” (An ode is a type of poem that expresses the writer’s praise for a specific person, place, or thing.)

Think of a great memory you have that includes a bike. Write a super-short story based on that memory.

Have students turn and share what they wrote with a neighbor.

Preview Vocabulary (10 minutes)

2. READ AND DISCUSS (55 MINUTES)

“Bicycle Mania”

Invite a volunteer to read the As You Read box on page 21 or at the top of the digital story page.

Read the article once as a class. (Differentiation: Share the lower-Lexile version of the article.) Optionally, have students listen to the article read-aloud while they follow along. The audio read-alouds are located in the Resources tab in Teacher View and at the top of the story page in Student View.

Divide students into groups to read the article again and respond to the following Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking questions, also located in the Resources tab.

Close-Reading Questions (25 minutes)

Describe the article’s introduction (the beginning, up to the first purple squiggle). Why might author Kristin Lewis have written it this way? What does it help readers understand? (author’s craft) Lewis’s introduction draws comparisons between the bicycle and a monster, a menace, a disease, and a crime wave—destructive, awful things. Verbs like unleashed and tearing create a dangerous and terrifying mood. Lewis waits to reveal the bicycle as the “horror,” “disaster,” and “catastrophe” she’s referring to until the last line of the introduction. Lewis likely wrote the intro this way because she wanted to draw readers into the article and surprise them. The introduction helps readers understand how controversial bicycles once were.

How did the bicycles of the 1800s compare with the bicycles you might ride today? (compare and contrast) The earliest bicycles did not have pedals. When velocipedes came along, pedals were added. These contraptions were much more dangerous to ride than the bicycles we ride today. They were difficult to balance because of their height and uneven wheel sizes. Metal wheels made for a jostling ride. All these things made accidents common. Today, wheels are equal- sized with rubber tires, and when a rider’s feet aren’t on the pedals, they are able to safely reach the ground.

How did the public feel about early bicycles? What eventually changed people’s attitudes? (key ideas and details) At first, people were outraged and even violent in response to the chaos bicycles were causing on their streets. Lewis explains that several cities banned early bicycles. But the comfort and safety features John Kemp Starley added to the bicycle—equal-sized wheels, air-filled tires, gears, and a chain drive—caused the public to go from outraged to obsessed. People began to see bicycles as contraptions that could bring one joy, health, and freedom.
Lewis writes that Susan B. Anthony said the bicycle “has done more to emancipate women than any one thing in the world.” What did Anthony mean? How did bicycles emancipate women? (figurative language) Emancipate means “to set free.” Susan B. Anthony meant that bicycles gave women the ability to physically leave the house on their own and in doing so, gave women the opportunity to gather, organize, and fight for the type of world in which they wanted to live—one in which women had a voice and the right to vote. The bicycle even “freed” women from the long, impractical skirts of the time: Women started wearing pants to ride bicycles.
Why are bicycles still popular today? (key ideas and details) Bicycles are still popular today for a variety of reasons. They’re practical, affordable, environmentally friendly, and continually being innovated. Riding them is fun, good for our health, and useful. Plus, almost anyone can ride a bike, especially now that there are adaptive bicycles.

“Will Jet Packs Take Off?”

Read the article as a class. Optionally, have students listen to the article read-aloud while they follow along. The audio read-alouds are located in the Resources tab in Teacher View and at the top of the story page in Student View.

As a class, discuss the following Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking questions, some of which apply to both articles

Close-Reading Questions (10 minutes)

What similarities exist between the Rocket Belt and velocipedes? What differences exist between bicycles and jet packs of today? (synthesis) Rocket Belts, like velocipedes, were very difficult to maneuver and balance. Because of this, Rocket Belt fliers, like velocipedists, suffered gruesome injuries. While bicycles of today are practical, inexpensive, and easy to use, jet packs of today are expensive, heavy, and require great skill on the part of the flier. They are still very difficult to maneuver and pose safety risks.

Critical-Thinking Questions (5 minutes)

Do you think Lewis thinks jet packs will take off? Do you think they will? Answers will vary.

The bicycle was once controversial and even banned in several cities. Are there any modes of transportation or devices that are now controversial but which you predict will one day be commonplace and beloved? Answers will vary.

“Bicycle Mania”

Invite a volunteer to read the As You Read box on page 21 or at the top of the digital story page.

Read the article once as a class. (Differentiation: Share the lower-Lexile version of the article.) Optionally, have students listen to the article read-aloud while they follow along. The audio read-alouds are located in the Resources tab in Teacher View and at the top of the story page in Student View.

Divide students into groups to read the article again and respond to the following Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking questions, also located in the Resources tab.

Close-Reading Questions (25 minutes)

Describe the article’s introduction (the beginning, up to the first purple squiggle). Why might author Kristin Lewis have written it this way? What does it help readers understand? (author’s craft) Lewis’s introduction draws comparisons between the bicycle and a monster, a menace, a disease, and a crime wave—destructive, awful things. Verbs like unleashed and tearing create a dangerous and terrifying mood. Lewis waits to reveal the bicycle as the “horror,” “disaster,” and “catastrophe” she’s referring to until the last line of the introduction. Lewis likely wrote the intro this way because she wanted to draw readers into the article and surprise them. The introduction helps readers understand how controversial bicycles once were.

How did the bicycles of the 1800s compare with the bicycles you might ride today? (compare and contrast) The earliest bicycles did not have pedals. When velocipedes came along, pedals were added. These contraptions were much more dangerous to ride than the bicycles we ride today. They were difficult to balance because of their height and uneven wheel sizes. Metal wheels made for a jostling ride. All these things made accidents common. Today, wheels are equal- sized with rubber tires, and when a rider’s feet aren’t on the pedals, they are able to safely reach the ground.

How did the public feel about early bicycles? What eventually changed people’s attitudes? (key ideas and details) At first, people were outraged and even violent in response to the chaos bicycles were causing on their streets. Lewis explains that several cities banned early bicycles. But the comfort and safety features John Kemp Starley added to the bicycle—equal-sized wheels, air-filled tires, gears, and a chain drive—caused the public to go from outraged to obsessed. People began to see bicycles as contraptions that could bring one joy, health, and freedom.

Lewis writes that Susan B. Anthony said the bicycle “has done more to emancipate women than any one thing in the world.” What did Anthony mean? How did bicycles emancipate women? (figurative language) Emancipate means “to set free.” Susan B. Anthony meant that bicycles gave women the ability to physically leave the house on their own and in doing so, gave women the opportunity to gather, organize, and fight for the type of world in which they wanted to live—one in which women had a voice and the right to vote. The bicycle even “freed” women from the long, impractical skirts of the time: Women started wearing pants to ride bicycles.

Why are bicycles still popular today? (key ideas and details) Bicycles are still popular today for a variety of reasons. They’re practical, affordable, environmentally friendly, and continually being innovated. Riding them is fun, good for our health, and useful. Plus, almost anyone can ride a bike, especially now that there are adaptive bicycles.

“Will Jet Packs Take Off?”

Read the article as a class. Optionally, have students listen to the article read-aloud while they follow along. The audio read-alouds are located in the Resources tab in Teacher View and at the top of the story page in Student View.

As a class, discuss the following Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking questions, some of which apply to both articles

Close-Reading Questions (10 minutes)

What similarities exist between the Rocket Belt and velocipedes? What differences exist between bicycles and jet packs of today? (synthesis) Rocket Belts, like velocipedes, were very difficult to maneuver and balance. Because of this, Rocket Belt fliers, like velocipedists, suffered gruesome injuries. While bicycles of today are practical, inexpensive, and easy to use, jet packs of today are expensive, heavy, and require great skill on the part of the flier. They are still very difficult to maneuver and pose safety risks.

Critical-Thinking Questions (5 minutes)

Do you think Lewis thinks jet packs will take off? Do you think they will? Answers will vary.

The bicycle was once controversial and even banned in several cities. Are there any modes of transportation or devices that are now controversial but which you predict will one day be commonplace and beloved? Answers will vary.

3. WRITE ABOUT IT: SYNTHESIS (45 minutes)

Have students complete the Featured Skill Activity: Synthesis. This activity prepares them to respond to the writing prompt on page 25 in the printed magazine and at the bottom of the digital story page:

Do you think jet packs could become as popular as bicycles? Why or why not? Use text evidence to support your ideas.

Alternatively, have students choose a task from the Choice Board, a menu of possible culminating tasks. (Our Choice Board options include the writing prompt from the magazine, differentiated versions of the writing prompt, and additional creative ways for students to demonstrate their understanding of a story or article.)

Have students complete the Featured Skill Activity: Synthesis. This activity prepares them to respond to the writing prompt on page 25 in the printed magazine and at the bottom of the digital story page:

Do you think jet packs could become as popular as bicycles? Why or why not? Use text evidence to support your ideas.

Alternatively, have students choose a task from the Choice Board, a menu of possible culminating tasks. (Our Choice Board options include the writing prompt from the magazine, differentiated versions of the writing prompt, and additional creative ways for students to demonstrate their understanding of a story or article.)

4. WRITE SPOTLIGHT: ONOMATOPEIA (15 minutes)

Project the Writing Spotlight activity, available in the Resources Tab, on your whiteboard for a minilesson on onomatopoeia, using a mentor sentence from the article. Read Slides 1 and 2 as a class.

Have students complete the You Try It on Slide 4 on their own. Then ask volunteers to share their sentences.

Project the Writing Spotlight activity, available in the Resources Tab, on your whiteboard for a minilesson on onomatopoeia, using a mentor sentence from the article. Read Slides 1 and 2 as a class.

Have students complete the You Try It on Slide 4 on their own. Then ask volunteers to share their sentences.

CONNECTED READING

Connected reading from the Scope archives:

Special Collection: Amazing Histories

Connected reading from the Scope archives:

Special Collection: Amazing Histories

Text-to-Speech

Bicycle Mania

Bicycle Mania

How a once-hated contraption won over the world

By Kristin Lewis, with Tod Olson

Will Jet Packs Take Off?

The technology has existed for decades. So why aren’t you flying to school with one?

By Kristin Lewis, with Adee Braun

Close Reading, Critical Thinking, Skill Building

Table of Contents

1. Prepare to Read

2. Read and Discuss

3. Write About It

4. Writing Spotlight

5. Conneccted Reading

1. PREPARE TO READ (15 MINUTES)

2. READ AND DISCUSS (55 MINUTES)

3. WRITE ABOUT IT: SYNTHESIS (45 minutes)

4. WRITE SPOTLIGHT: ONOMATOPEIA (15 minutes)

CONNECTED READING

Help/Support

Help/Support

About Us

Subscriber Information

Bicycle Mania

Bicycle Mania

How a once-hated contraption won over the world

By Kristin Lewis, with Tod Olson

Will Jet Packs Take Off?

The technology has existed for decades. So why aren’t you flying to school with one?

By Kristin Lewis, with Adee Braun

Close Reading, Critical Thinking, Skill Building

Table of Contents

1. Prepare to Read 2. Read and Discuss 3. Write About It 4. Writing Spotlight 5. Conneccted Reading

1. PREPARE TO READ (15 MINUTES)

2. READ AND DISCUSS (55 MINUTES)

3. WRITE ABOUT IT: SYNTHESIS (45 minutes)

4. WRITE SPOTLIGHT: ONOMATOPEIA (15 minutes)

CONNECTED READING

Help/Support

Help/Support

About Us

Subscriber Information

Connect with Us

1. Prepare to Read

2. Read and Discuss

3. Write About It

4. Writing Spotlight

5. Conneccted Reading