Seattle’s first bike paths were constructed in the 1890s to provide a safer alternative to biking alongside horses and livestock on rutted dirt roads, while also leaving sidewalks free for pedestrians. Today, Seattle has an extensive network of bike paths, including neighborhood greenways, protected bike lanes, and trails. Explore Seattle’s cycling history and how bikes work with Idea Lab!
Onsite: Bikes allow riders to go further and faster than they could by walking or running through a system of gears and chains attached to wheels. Stop by the Idea Lab on the first floor to explore how gears and chains work together to transform energy and force into movement. Then, visit Riding Together: 135 Years of Cycling in Seattle on the second floor to learn more about how Seattle’s cyclists have shaped the city’s streets, culture, and activism.
At Home: Learn about the history of one of Seattle’s most iconic trails and about some of the forces that make bikes move. Then, explore balance, friction, gravity, and more by building whimsical rollers that move in interesting ways. Just download the activity packet and watch the associated video below.