What specific danger was associated with riding the Penny-Farthing bicycle?
Answer
The high center of gravity caused riders to be pitched forward over the front wheel
The Ordinary, also known as the Penny-Farthing, featured a dramatically large front wheel and a very small rear wheel. This design placed the rider in a high, precarious seating position. If the rider encountered a sudden stop, such as hitting a pothole or stone, the momentum caused the rider to be thrown forward over the handlebars. This dangerous event was commonly referred to as taking a header, which severely limited the machine's appeal to broader segments of the public.
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