Bazhou China Bicycle Museum

Bazhou China Bicycle Museum

The China Bicycle Museum, also known as the Bazhou Bicycle Museum, opened in October 2008. Located at the intersection of National Highway 106 and Yingbin East Road in Bazhou City, it stands opposite the Bazhou Administrative Center. The museum occupies a planned construction area of 5.5 hectares, with a total building area of 38,887 square meters. It is a six-story frame structure building, with one underground floor covering 6,530 square meters, and five above-ground floors covering 32,357 square meters. The China Bicycle Museum is located on the fourth floor of the Bazhou Museum. It is one of the three main exhibition halls of the Bazhou Huaxia Folk Collection Museum and is currently the largest and most comprehensive bicycle museum in China.

The China Bicycle Museum is divided into several exhibition areas, including the History of Bicycles Hall, Bicycle Sports Hall, International Collection Area, Domestic Collection Area, Comprehensive Hall, and the Story of the Bicycle Kingdom Hall. It boasts the largest collection, the most diverse range of types, and the greatest scale among bicycle museums worldwide, filling the gap of China — the “Kingdom of Bicycles” — not having a bicycle museum.

The China Bicycle Museum was established with the help and support of Mr. Wang Mingxi, a renowned bicycle collector. It houses over 300 premium bicycles of various brands from around the world, including internationally famous models such as the British-made Platinum and Triumph, as well as familiar domestic brands — Red Flag, Forever, Phoenix, and Flying Pigeon. German brands like Blue Ribbon and Mercedes bicycles, American Harley-Davidson bikes, and Taiwanese Giant bicycles are all part of Mr. Wang’s meticulously collected pieces.

As a non-polluting, lightweight mode of transport, the bicycle has a history of over 200 years since its invention in the 18th century. It has not only witnessed the development of the global machinery manufacturing industry but also carried people’s dreams and memories of the past. In 1888, after the British inventor Dunlop created the pneumatic tire bicycle, the bicycle quickly made its way to China.

Chinese people originally referred to the bicycle as “foreign vehicle,” “single-wheel,” or “foot-pedaled vehicle.” The term “bicycle” first appeared in the diary of Qing Dynasty diplomat Zhang Deyi. He wrote: “I saw a traveler riding a bicycle, made of steel, with a large front wheel and a small rear wheel, and a horizontal beam on top. The rider sat on the beam, holding the handlebars with both hands, pedaling the axle with their feet, and moving swiftly, faster than a galloping horse.” Since then, the bicycle has witnessed more than a century of Chinese history. During the 1960s and 1970s, the bicycle became one of the “Three Big Items” in Chinese households, alongside watches and sewing machines, and purchasing one required a “ration coupon.” The bicycle has been deeply woven into the joys and sorrows of everyday life for the Chinese people.

In addition to the international and domestic exhibition areas, the “Stories of the Bicycle” section displays several bicycles with historical significance and connections to notable figures. Among them is the bicycle of Puyi, the last emperor of China, displayed against the backdrop of the Forbidden City, recreating a historical scene. Historical records indicate that many wooden thresholds in the Forbidden City were sawn off to allow Puyi to ride his bicycle in and out conveniently.

China has long been known as the “Kingdom of Bicycles,” with bicycles serving as a basic mode of transportation for urban and rural residents. Currently, China has a total of 470 million bicycles in social use. The establishment of such a bicycle museum not only bears witness to the history of bicycle development but also provides a reference for the art of collecting. This museum, which integrates bicycle collection, display, research, and education, plays a significant role in promoting the development of China’s bicycle industry, enriching cultural tourism, and advancing the growth of contemporary cycling sports.