I was asked this question a while ago and I kept forgetting to look it up. The answer is in some dispute. Technically speaking, Leonardo DaVinci sketched a facsimile of the modern bicycle in 1490, which never left the drawing board.
From "About.com"
Some history books will state that Pierre and Ernest Michaux, the French father and son team of carriage-makers, invented the first bicycle during the 1860s. Historians now disagree and there is evidence that the bicycle is older than that. However, historians do agree that Ernest Michaux did invent the modern bicycle pedal and cranks in 1861.
One way or another, the snow has melted, the sun is shining and for shame for shame, I never took mine out of storage last year. That is about to change. I will get it out this week and I will ride it, darn it all.
From "About.com"
Some history books will state that Pierre and Ernest Michaux, the French father and son team of carriage-makers, invented the first bicycle during the 1860s. Historians now disagree and there is evidence that the bicycle is older than that. However, historians do agree that Ernest Michaux did invent the modern bicycle pedal and cranks in 1861.
One way or another, the snow has melted, the sun is shining and for shame for shame, I never took mine out of storage last year. That is about to change. I will get it out this week and I will ride it, darn it all.