Georgena Terry

Last updated

Georgena Terry is an American bicycle designer and businesswoman who began the first women-specific bicycle company, Terry Precision Cycling, in 1985. [1] [2]

Biography

Raised in Alabama in the United States, she gained a degree in mechanical engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University and worked at Westinghouse Electric’s nuclear services division during summer breaks. While working at Xerox Corp in Rochester she began making bicycle frames for friends. [3] The bicycles were hand-built with frame geometries and wheel sizes designed to better fit women, and her business grew rapidly from 20 bicycles in 1985 to 5,000 in 1987. [4]

She developed and patented the first bicycle saddle specifically for women in 1991 [5] and handlebars with reduced diameter to suit people with smaller hands in 1994. [6] The saddles featured the now-common cut-away centres [7] and Terry now produces ergonomic saddles for both men and women. [8]

Related Research Articles

Bicycle Pedal-driven two-wheel vehicle

A bicycle, also called a pedal cycle, bike or cycle, is a human-powered or motor-powered assisted, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A bicycle rider is called a cyclist, or bicyclist.

Cycling Riding a bicycle

Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, exercise or sport. People engaged in cycling are referred to as "cyclists", "bicyclists", or "bikers". Apart from two-wheeled bicycles, "cycling" also includes the riding of unicycles, tricycles, quadricycles, recumbent and similar human-powered vehicles (HPVs).

BMX Cycle sport

BMX, an abbreviation for bicycle motocross or bike motocross, is a cycle sport performed on BMX bikes, either in competitive BMX racing or freestyle BMX, or else in general on- or off-road recreation.

Bicycle messenger People who work for courier companies carrying and delivering items by bicycle

Bicycle messengers are people who work for courier companies carrying and delivering items by bicycle. Bicycle messengers are most often found in the central business districts of metropolitan areas. Courier companies use bike messengers because bicycle travel is less subject to unexpected holdups in city traffic jams, and is not deterred by parking limitations, fees or fines in high-density development that can hinder or prevent delivery by motor vehicle, thereby offering a predictable delivery time.

Road cycling

Road cycling is the most widespread form of cycling in which cyclists ride on paved roadways. It includes recreational, racing, commuting, and utility cycling. As users of the road, road cyclists are generally expected to obey the same laws as motorists, however there are certain exceptions. While there are many types of bicycles that are used on the roads such as BMX, recumbents, racing, touring and utility bicycles, dedicated road bicycles have specific characteristics that make them ideal for the sport. Road bicycles have thinner tires, lighter frames with no suspension, and a set of drop handle bars to allow riders to get in a more aerodynamic position while cycling at higher speeds. On a flat road, an intermediate cyclist can average about 18-20mph, while a professional rider can average up to 25mph. At higher speeds, wind resistance gets stronger and the light, aerodynamic road bikes that have developed over the years ensure that most of the riders' energy is spent propelling the bike forward.

Fixed-gear bicycle Bicycle that has a drivetrain with no freewheel mechanism

A fixed-gear bicycle is a bicycle that has a drivetrain with no freewheel mechanism. The freewheel was developed early in the history of bicycle design but the fixed-gear bicycle remained the standard track racing design. More recently the "fixie" has become a popular alternative among mainly urban cyclists, offering the advantage of simplicity compared with the standard multi-geared bicycle.

Cycling advocacy Activities promoting cycling

Cycling advocacy consists of activities that call for, promote or enable increased adoption and support for cycling and improved safety and convenience for cyclists, usually within urbanized areas or semi-urban regions. Issues of concern typically include policy, administrative and legal changes ; advocating and establishing better cycling infrastructure ; public education regarding the health, transportational and environmental benefits of cycling for both individuals and communities, cycling and motoring skills; and increasing public and political support for bicycling.

Police bicycle

A police bicycle is a land vehicle used by police departments, most commonly in the form of a mountain bicycle. They are designed to meet the requirements unique to each department.

Many countries have enacted electric vehicle laws to regulate the use of electric bicycles. Countries such as the United States and Canada have federal regulations governing the safety requirements and standards of manufacture. Other countries like the signatories of the European Union have agreed to wider-ranging legislation covering use and safety.

Cruiser bicycle

A cruiser bicycle, also known as a beach cruiser or (formerly) motobike, is a bicycle that usually combines balloon tires, an upright seating posture, a single-speed drivetrain, and straightforward steel construction with expressive styling. Cruisers are popular among casual bicyclists and vacationers because they are very stable and easy to ride, but their heavy weight and balloon tires tend to make them rather slow. Another common feature is their ability to be customized with accessories including fenders, lights and saddle bags. They are designed for use primarily on paved roads, low speeds/distances, and are included in the non-racing/non-touring class and heavyweight or middleweight styles of the road bicycle type.

Bicycle saddle One of 5 contact points on an upright bicycle

A bicycle saddle, often called a bicycle seat, is one of five contact points on an upright bicycle, the others being the two pedals and the two handles on the handlebars. The bicycle saddle has been known as such since the bicycle evolved from the draisine, a forerunner of the bicycle. It performs a similar role as a horse's saddle, not bearing all the weight of the rider as the other contact points also take some of the load.

Balance bicycle Training bicycle for children

A balance bicycle, run bike or no pedal bike or dandy horse is a training bicycle that helps children learn balance and steering. It has no foot pedals, no drivetrain, no chain, no gears, no gear shifters, no derailleurs, and no freewheel.

United States National Road Race Championships

The United States National Professional Road Race Championships began in 1985. They are run by the governing body, USA Cycling. Until 2006 the race was open to all nationalities, the first American to finish being named the winner and given a distinctive jersey. Since the championship in Greenville, South Carolina, in 2006, all riders have had to be American.

Masi Bicycles is a manufacturer of road, track, cyclocross and commuter bicycles based in Vista, California, United States.

Wheelie bike

A wheelie bike, also called a dragster, muscle bike, high-riser, spyder bike or banana bike, is a type of stylized children's bicycle designed in the 1960s to resemble a chopper motorcycle and characterized by ape hanger handlebars, a banana seat with sissy bar, and small wheels. Notable examples include the Schwinn Sting-Ray and Krate lines and the Raleigh Chopper line. Other notable manufacturers and retailers that offered models include AMF, CCM, Columbia, Huffy, Iverson, J. C. Penney, Malvern Star, Monark, Murray, Ross, Sears, and Vindec.

David T. Hon

David T. Hon is a Hong Kong-born American physicist, inventor and entrepreneur. He is best known as the inventor and founder of Dahon folding bicycles. Dahon has since grown to become the world's largest manufacturer and marketer of folding bikes with Hon still CEO to this day.

Bicycling and feminism

The bicycle had a significant impact on the lives of women in a variety of areas. The greatest impact the bicycle had on the societal role of women occurred in the 1890s during the bicycle craze that swept American and European society. During this time, the primary achievement the bicycle gained for the women's movement was that it gave women a greater amount of social mobility. The feminist Annie Londonderry accomplished her around-the-globe bicycle trip as the first woman in this time. Due to the price and the various payment plans offered by American bicycle companies, the bicycle was affordable to the majority of people. However, the bicycle impacted upper and middle class white women the most. This transformed their role in society from remaining in the private or domestic sphere as caregivers, wives, and mothers to one of greater public appearance and involvement in the community.

PBSC Urban Solutions Bicycle-sharing system developer and supplier

PBSC Urban Solutions, formerly the Public Bike System Company, is an international bicycle-sharing system equipment vendor with their headquarters based in Longueuil, Quebec. The company develops bicycle-sharing systems, equipment, parts, and software, and sells its products to cities in Australia, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and seven other countries. The company has sold about 90,000 bikes and 7,000 stations to 40 cities.

Cycling in San Jose, California

San Jose, California has various cycling routes on roads and trails used by both commuters and recreational riders. The city has plans to expand the current 285 miles (459 km) of bike lanes to 400 miles (640 km), and the current 60 miles (97 km) of trails to 100 miles (160 km). San Jose was ranked as a bronze-level bicycle-friendly community by the League of American Bicyclists.

Lezyne is a manufacturer of bicycle accessories headquartered in Reno, Nevada, with offices in San Luis Obispo, Berlin and Taichung. The company is known for producing pumps, multi-tools, saddle bags, bottle cages, lights and GPS cyclocomputers. Most of their products are manufactured in-house at their factory in Taichung, Taiwan. In addition to selling products in the aftermarket, Lezyne is an original equipment manufacturer for electric bicycle lights.

References

  1. Olmsted, Allison. "May Is Bike Month: How About A Brand Just For Women?". Forbes. Retrieved 2019-08-09.
  2. Susi (2012-07-04). "6 Questions for Women's Bicycling Pioneer Georgena Terry". velojoy. Retrieved 2019-08-09.
  3. "When it comes to bikes, Georgena Terry thinks big". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2019-08-09.
  4. Brown, Paul B. (1987-06-01). "Spokeswoman". Inc.com. Retrieved 2019-08-09.
  5. US 5165752,Terry, Georgena,"Bicycle saddle for women",published 1992-11-24
  6. US 5524506,Terry, Georgena,"Handlebar for a bicycle",published 1996-06-11
  7. "11 of the best women's saddles — how to choose the right one for you". road.cc. 2019-06-30. Retrieved 2019-08-09.
  8. "The cyclist's tight spot". Los Angeles Times. 2007-04-09. Retrieved 2019-08-09.