The Peugeot standing lion emblem graces all manner of vehicles, from cars and motorcycles to bicycles. But long before race cars or motorbikes, people knew the Peugeot name as a manufacturer of motorcycles. For over 100 years, Peugeot has turned out bicycles for both racers and consumers at its factories in France and throughout Europe.
Early Days
Peugeot brothers Jean-Pierre and Jean-Frederic established a steel foundry in 1810. The business prospered and grew, expanding from its home base in Sous-Cratet to the town of Beaulieu, France. Here, in 1850, Armond Peugeot introduced the world to the Grand Bi. In the style of the day, this bicycle had a large front wheel and a small back one.
From Bikes to Cars
The first Peugeot bicycles with chains appeared in 1886. From this design, Armand began tinkering with a motorized version. In 1889 he introduced a three-wheeled motorized design. At this time, Peugeot continued to produce bicycles, turning out 20,000 a year by 1900. While Armand left the factory to devote himself to developing the Peugeot automobile, cousin Eugene Peugeot took over the bicycle manufacturing facility.
Growth
By the first World War, Peugeot produced 80,000 bicycles a year in womens, mens, tricycle, tandem and even quadricycle models. Across Europe and the United States, people adopted bicycles as both practical transportation and enjoyable recreation. When World War II broke out, Peugeot contributed 63,000 bicycles to the war effort. By 1930, Peugeot manufactured 162,000 bicycles annually.
Dissolution
After 1930, the demand for bicycles decreased. By the 1980s, competition in the form of less expensive bikes from Asia left the business in financial trouble. Peugeot separated the bicycle and motorcycle divisions from the automobile division, then conglomerate Cycleurope took over the bicycle manufacturing. Peugeot experimented in the 1970s with making custom racing bikes. From 1903 to 1983, ten racers won the Tour de France on Peugeot bikes.
Re-emergence
Today, Peugeot bicycles are once more under control of the Peugeot company. They offer off- road, road and racing bicycles. Peugeot bicycle dealerships in France, Germany, Bulgaria, Greece and Switzerland carry bicycles with the familiar standing lion emblem.
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