The greatest invention of all time
Over beers the other day, my friend and I debated the most remarkable human invention ever. Written language, control over fire, the wheel—we kept one-upping each other.
Then I called checkmate.
The greatest invention in human history? It's the bicycle.
Yep, the good old-fashioned bike. Invented in 1817, perfected by 1885, and still unchanged in essence today.
Before you write me off, let's explore what makes an invention great.
What makes an invention great
It's not just about clever engineering. Here’s my criteria:
Does it improve health, happiness, and well-being?
Does it lift people out of poverty?
Does it stand the test of time?
Is it accessible to everyone, not just the rich?
Is it truly sustainable?
And does it make the world a better place?
Bikes? Yes, to all.
This isn't about your middle-aged neighbor in spandex riding for sport (though, good for them). It's about bikes as transportation tools, liberation, and possibility for the masses.
Quick bike history
1817: The bicycle's ancestor, a pedal-free 'running machine,' made walking faster.
1885: The safety bicycle, with equal-sized wheels and a chain drive, revolutionized transport.
1890s: Bikes took off—cheap, practical, and liberating. Fun fact: Cyclists paved the way (literally) for modern roads long before cars arrived.
Since then, the bicycle has remained a global game-changer, from enabling long-distance adventures to transforming lives in developing countries.
My argument is simple. Of all inventions, bikes have had the most positive impact on humanity with the least downside.
Why bikes are the greatest invention of all time
Let's run the bike through each of the above criteria briefly.
Bikes lift people out of poverty.
This is the big one. A simple bike can transform lives in ways cars and buses can't.
I remember watching a short film about this in 2010. It showed kids walking for hours to school, women traveling long distances for water, and families struggling to make ends meet. A bike meant access—to education, opportunity, and a better life.
Travel up to 4x faster with the same energy.
Save hours a day for education, earning money, or caring for family.
Break the cycle of poverty.
More time and more education leads to more income and a better life. All powered by a bike.
Bikes promote social equity.
Bikes don't care about your background, income, or zip code. They're affordable, low-maintenance, and accessible to almost everyone.
A reliable used bike costs about $300. Maintenance? $100 a year. Compare that to cars, with their endless costs—insurance, gas, repairs. Bikes level the playing field, offering independence without breaking the bank.
Historically, bikes have also been tools of liberation. In the late 19th century, they gave women unprecedented mobility, fueling movements for equality. Today, they remain a great equalizer.
Bikes make us healthier and happier.
A good bike can replace reliance on a car for daily errands and activities. If you live in an urban area where basic necessities like food stores, supplies, and friends are within a 5-mile radius, then there's really no need to use your car.
You can use your bike to shop for food, meet friends at parks, or run other errands. Using your bike to travel to local activities can also improve your quality of life.
The benefits are obvious: biking is exercise, and exercise is good for you.
Physical health: A 30-minute daily ride burns about 250 calories. Two pounds of body fat gone every week, just from getting to work or the grocery store.
Mental health: Fresh air, moving your body, and the freedom to roam—bikes are nature's antidepressants.
Happiness: Riding a bike is fun. The wind in your face, the thrill of speed. There is a simple sense of fulfillment when you arrive at your destination after a human-powered adventure. It's real dopamine.
You don't get any of this behind the wheel of a car, likely stuck in traffic.
Back to your neighbor:
Bikes continue to stand the test of time.
The bicycle's core design has barely changed in over a century because it's already near-perfect.
A 100-year-old bike can still function with minimal repairs. The bicycle remains relevant across cultures, economies, and eras—whether for leisure, work, or transport.
Its adaptability is part of its genius. The design scales effortlessly, from cargo to sleek road bikes to fit human needs.
Bikes are green and clean.
As a climate writer, here’s my stance:
An invention can't truly be great unless it makes the world a better place. That means it's sustainable, avoids negative consequences for other living things, and has minimal impact on nonrenewable resources.
Even if an invention checks the boxes above but fails this final exam, it can't be considered great.
Bikes pass this test with flying colors:
Zero emissions. Zero noise pollution. Minimal manufacturing footprint.
They promote mindful, slow travel that lets you connect with the world around you.
No rare-earth mining or exploitative labor on a massive scale.
In a warming world, the bicycle isn't just a tool for transport—it's a symbol of how we can live better, simpler lives.
How other inventions stack up
I'm not arguing that other inventions aren't helpful. Some of them were surely essential to human prosperity. But that doesn't qualify them for the highest praise. Here are some helpful inventions with their respective drawbacks:
The internet? Incredible for democratizing information but divisive, energy-intensive, and, these days, scary (howdy, AI).
Electricity? Revolutionary, but fossil fuels have turned it into an environmental double-edged sword.
Farming? Essential, sure, but industrial ag brought deforestation and climate chaos.
Printing press? Game-changing for information and knowledge, but not exactly green.
The wheel? A great invention. But a component, not the end product. Plus, wheels were used for cars, and cars got us into this mess.
The bicycle, on the other hand, improves life without new problems.
One last thought
Of course, bikes aren't perfect everywhere. Biking isn't always practical in sprawling suburbs or rural areas without infrastructure. But that's not the bike's fault—it's ours.
Urban planning has failed many communities. Here in the US, we've designed cities for cars, not people. But bikes are the perfect complement to public transport—bike + bus, bike + metro. It's a vision of mobility that's accessible, sustainable, and joyful.
Still, the bicycle meets every criterion for greatness: it improves lives, benefits the planet, fosters health and happiness, stands the test of time, and enhances human potential with elegant simplicity.
It's not just a great invention—it might be the greatest.
P.S. I'm lucky to live close to Old Spokes Home in Burlington, Vermont. They're a nonprofit bike shop that refurbishes bikes and gives them to people who need them. If their mission moves you, consider donating (I do every year). Or support your local bike shop or community nonprofit. All love!