A bicycle for the space age
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (391367)
Rockingham, Australia
June 27, 2025 8:35am CST
One of the vehicles on display at the York Motor Museum in Western Australia was the Bowden Spacelander bicycle which you see in the photo.
The prototype was designed in 1946 and manufactured in 1960. It was designed to capitalise on the interest in space travel. It was available in five colours: Charcoal Black, Cliffs of Dover White, Stop Sign Red, Meadow Green and Outer Space Blue.
Its fibreglass body meant it was quite fragile. It was also relatively expensive and its unusual design wasn’t popular. Less than 600 were produced before production was halted. It certainly looks like it belongs to the space age. You’d get a bit of attention riding this perhaps.
19 people like this
18 responses
@JudyEv (391367)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jun 25
@Ineeddentures It's probably worth way too much for the common person - or even the uncommon one. You could try a search on Ebay. 
@Marilynda1225 (92773)
• United States
27 Jun 25
It certainly isn't very appealing when you look at it so I can see why it wasn't popular. Interesting to see it though.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (391367)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jun 25
I can't imagine why they thought it would sell. It looks very weird.
@JudyEv (391367)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jun 25
@Ineeddentures That's fine. It takes all sorts, doesn't it? 
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (391367)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jun 25
They stopped production of it a long time ago as it wasn't selling.
@JudyEv (391367)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jun 25
You and @Ineeddentures are in agreement on this bike. That two that like it so far. I wonder if there will be any more. 
1 person likes this
@Chellezhere (6416)
• United States
27 Jun 25
I imagine you would have.
Isn't interesting how "space age" thing were thought they would be compared to how they actually are now?
2 people like this
@allknowing (153126)
• India
27 Jun 25
Apart from looking unioque I wonder if the rider felt differently
1 person likes this
@star_disgate (910)
• Phoenix, Arizona
28 Jun 25
That is super awesome. It for sure looks like something from the future... or 60s. haha.
2 people like this
@aninditasen (18489)
• Raurkela, India
27 Jun 25
Since its made of fiber glass it would be light and would be fit for space ride.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (18489)
• Raurkela, India
30 Jun 25
@JudyEv In space you do need light things.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (223003)
• United States
28 Jun 25
Produced way before its time. I wonder how it would sell today? It's not very attractive.
1 person likes this
@porwest (112694)
• United States
29 Jun 25
@Ineeddentures You are. But there's nothing wrong with that. Like most things in life, there's a market for everything. lol
1 person likes this
@cabuyogty (4502)
• Philippines
27 Jun 25
I think the bicycle looks like a motorcycle. I can drive a BMX bike only.
1 person likes this
@cabuyogty (4502)
• Philippines
29 Jun 25
@JudyEv yeah , my mother taught me how to drive a bicycle when I was young.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (52252)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
27 Jun 25
Well, immediately, I see two things about it that would limit its appeal: first, it's for boys*, and second, it doesn't have hand brakes.
*that gelding crossbar 
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54700)
• United States
27 Jun 25
It is kinda cool looking to me. I wouldn’t want one, but I like vintage things.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (391367)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jun 25
It is vintage but in a way it doesn't look like it.
