Come along to the next Royal Western Australian Historical Society talk and hear Alan Naber recount a social history of cycling.

The talk begins with the first attempts at two-wheeled travel, and the initial disbelief and fascination of being able to balance on two wheels in the early 1800s. Then follows the development and impact of faster bicycles in the mid-1800s.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries cycling's popularity grew as the mass population adopted bicycles when they became safer and cheaper. Alan's account of cycling's history covers Britain, Europe and the US. For Australia, changes in urban, rural and Goldfields lives are discussed.

Alan started his cycling career with a trike when he was about two years old. Later he rode his bicycle to school on the quiet roads of a 1950s London suburb. He rode to work in both England and Australia, only stopping for a 10-year break in Zambia, Central Africa, where the roads were too dangerous for bikes. He has cycle-toured many countries, particularly Germany, Holland and Denmark where cycling is a normal part of life for many people.

Now retired, Alan has a collection of vintage bicycles and rides with the Over-55 Cycling Club and the WA Historical Cycle Club.