Holden Motor Bicycle
The Holden Motor Bicycle, produced commercially from 1899, is recognized as a landmark in the history of motorized transport. It was the first motorized bicycle to be manufactured in Britain and featured a 1054 cc, water-cooled flat-four engine. Designed and patented by Henry Capel Lofft Holden in 1894, the engine allowed the bicycle to reach a top speed of approximately 25 mph.
| Holden Motor Bicycle | ||
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| The Holden Motor Bicycle (produced commercially from 1899) | ||
| Overview | ||
| Name | Holden Motor Bicycle | |
| Manufacturer | Holden | |
| Production | 1899–1902 | |
| Assembly | Coventry, Britain | |
| Design and construction | ||
| Class | Motorized Bicycle | |
| Designer | Henry Capel Lofft Holden | |
| Specifications | ||
| Engine | Water-cooled flat-four | |
| Displacement | 1054 cc | |
| Top speed | 25 mph | |
| patent_date | 1894 | |
This pioneering vehicle was constructed in Coventry between 1899 and 1902. Henry Holden was a visionary in the field of motor transportation. Beyond his work on the motor bicycle, he was crucial in the development of the world’s first purpose-built "banked" motor racing circuit at Brooklands in Surrey, England, in 1906. This innovative circuit allowed racing cars to achieve speeds over 100 mph, a remarkable accomplishment for the era. The Holden Motor Bicycle represents a significant advancement in early motorized transport, showcasing engineering innovations that paved the way for future developments in the automotive industry.[1]
