The history of the Coventry Machinists Co is also the history of the cycle industry itself.

 

 

1889 Coventry Machinists Co ‘Swift’ Safety Bicycle

‘Model D’

30″ Equal Wheels

Frame No 7534

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1890 IRISH SWIFT SAFETY

1889 SWIFT SAFETY ‘MODEL A’ v 1889 SWIFT CROSS FRAME SAFETY ‘MODEL D’

I picked up a Swift ‘Model A’ (on the left, above and below) for my friend Paul in Australia. Before packing it and shipping it to him, I took the opportunity for a photoshoot of the two bikes together.

Below: more pictures of Paul’s Swift ‘Model A’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE COVENTRY CYCLE INDUSTRY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Extracts (available on google) from: ‘Critical Geographies of Cycling: History, Political Economy and Culture’ by Professor Glen Norcliffe