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| Acc2804/8b |
| George Walker with bicycle and awards, 1924 |
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| Acc3466/HF76.87.6 |
| Charlottetown Cycling Club By-laws |
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| With the introduction of early bicycles like the 'boneshaker' and the 'penny-farthing', cycling gained an initial foothold in Canada in the 1870s. However, it was the invention of the more practical 'safety' bicycle a decade later, with its equal-sized wheels and chain drive, that spurred on widespread participation in cycling, both as a recreational and competitive activity. On Prince Edward Island cycling as a competitive sport was dominated for many years by the sensational performances of talented cyclists like Lorne Unsworth, Byron Brown, and George Walker, who competed with great success in cycle races throughout Eastern Canada during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. George Walker, a veteran of the First World War, overcame serious injuries from his military service to become one of the leading cyclists in the Maritimes during the 1920s. He won the Halifax Herald 45 Mile Bike Race three years in succession (1923-1925) and was successful in setting a record finishing time of 2 hours and 14 minutes. | | Next>>> | | Previous<<< |
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| To see more of the images from this and other collections visit the Public Archives and Records Office, Atlantic Technology Centre (ATC), 176 Great George Street, Suite L20, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. | For more information about the Public Archives and its holdings, please visit princeedwardisland.ca/en/topic/libraries-and-archives.
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