Bikes! Bikes! Bikes! All About Brantford’s Bike Industry!

Bikes! Bikes! Bikes! All About Brantford’s Bike Makers, Bikers, and Collectors!

Did you know that, in 1897, Karl Creelman rode a Brantford-manufactured bike, the Red Bird, around the world? Recently Louise Trotter has been following his route around the world and has been reporting her adventures on a blog.

The Canadian Industrial Heritage Centre (CIHC) is inviting the public to take a spin through the city’s cycling past at “Bikes, Bikes, Bikes!”, a free community event happening on Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Brantford campus.

The event will be held in Room 202 of the Research and Academic Centre West (RCW), located at 150 Dalhousie Street. It will shine a light on Brantford’s important role in Canada’s bicycle boom through engaging talks from local historians, collectors and cycling enthusiasts.

Presentations will include:

● Louise Trotter on The Karl Creelman Story and his ties to Goold Bicycle Company

● Murray Angus on The roots of CCM in Brantford and its link to the local history museum

● Rick Mannen on The Ideal Company, Goold. Shapley and Muir and The Red Bird bicycle

● Stan Gorecki on Bicycle Sales and Service and the shift toward Sustainable Technology

● Jamie McGregor on Bicycle Collecting and Antique Fairs

Whether you're a cycling enthusiast, a history lover or just curious about Brantford’s past, Bikes, Bikes, Bikes! promises a fun and informative morning exploring how two wheels helped shape one of Ontario’s most storied industrial cities.

Admission is free, but registration is encouraged.

Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Brantford, Sports events in Brantford.