A bicycle for the space age
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (357050)
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.
21 people like this
20 responses
@Ineeddentures (7005)
•
28 Jun
Could you buy it for me please.
I think it's awesome
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (357050)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jun
@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 (85122)
• United States
27 Jun
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.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (357050)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jun
I can't imagine why they thought it would sell. It looks very weird.
@JudyEv (357050)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jun
@Ineeddentures That's fine. It takes all sorts, doesn't it? 
1 person likes this
@Ineeddentures (7005)
•
28 Jun
Really.
I think it is a thing of beauty and coolness
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (357050)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jun
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
@JudyEv (357050)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jun
They stopped production of it a long time ago as it wasn't selling.
@BarBaraPrz (49949)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
27 Jun
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 
2 people like this
@Ineeddentures (7005)
•
28 Jun
Yes I bet many a boy has almost been gelded riding such a bike
2 people like this
@star_disgate (861)
• Phoenix, Arizona
28 Jun
That is super awesome. It for sure looks like something from the future... or 60s. haha.
2 people like this
@Chellezhere (6076)
• United States
27 Jun
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
@cabuyogty (3864)
• Philippines
27 Jun
I think the bicycle looks like a motorcycle. I can drive a BMX bike only.
1 person likes this
@cabuyogty (3864)
• Philippines
19h
@JudyEv yeah , my mother taught me how to drive a bicycle when I was young.
1 person likes this
@Ineeddentures (7005)
•
27 Jun
You sure would get attention riding that bike
It looks really cool
If only it had an engine
1 person likes this
@Ineeddentures (7005)
•
28 Jun
@JudyEv
Oh it does.
It's really cool
I would have loved to have owned that when I was 12
1 person likes this
@allknowing (148455)
• India
27 Jun
Apart from looking unioque I wonder if the rider felt differently
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (52756)
• United States
27 Jun
It is kinda cool looking to me. I wouldn’t want one, but I like vintage things.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (17175)
• Raurkela, India
27 Jun
Since its made of fiber glass it would be light and would be fit for space ride.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (192860)
• United States
28 Jun
Produced way before its time. I wonder how it would sell today? It's not very attractive.
1 person likes this
