Golden in Jefferson County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

First Bicycle Mishap in Golden

Photographed by Charles T. Harrell, July 4, 2011

1. First Bicycle Mishap in Golden Marker

Inscription. The earliest bicycles that were popular in Golden were called velocipedes. One daredevil rider, son of Judge Boyd, who was to become a pioneer farmer east of Golden, made the following news in the Colorado Transcript on May 19, 1869 for his stunt charging south down Ford Street toward Clear Creek:

“The champion velocipdedstrian of this town is undoubtedly Jim Boyd. He can ride faster and jump off the highest bridge of any of them that have tried to tame the fiery, unconquerable steed. The other day he was riding down the hill by Barnes’ mill at full speed, when as he approached the bridge the critter gave a shy to one side and leaped full tilt with its rider over the abutment into the creek, a distance of fully ten feet. Strange to relate the rider suffered no inconvenience except a slight abrasion of the knee. He claims this is parallel leap to that of old Israel Putnam.”

Caption: Sarabella Bryant, pictured here, married John Henry Bicknell, who she had met at Golden High School in 1901. That same year her mother married Henry Bicknell, john’s father. Courtesy Golden Pioneer Museum.

Caption: Two of the many cyclists in the Golden area. Courtesy Golden Pioneer Museum.
Background photo: The Ramblers Bicycle Club pose in suits and caps in Golden, circa 1988. Courtesy Colorado Historical Society.

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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1870.

Location. 39° 45.409′ N, 105° 13.359′ W. Marker is in Golden, Colorado, in Jefferson County. It is on Washington Avenue Bridge, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Golden CO 80401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Front Range.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Settler Farm Wife’s Initiative (here, next to this marker); A Daring Rescue (here, next to this marker); Porcelain and Malted Milk (here, next to this marker); Fun on Courthouse Hill (here, next to this marker); Brewing on Clear Creek-Coors History (here, next to this marker); Golden and Clear Creek (here, next to this marker); History of the Avenue Bridge 4 (here, next to this marker); Gold (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Golden.

First Bicycle Mishap in Golden Marker Wide View image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Leslie Eudy, November 4, 2025

2. First Bicycle Mishap in Golden Marker Wide View

Marker on the left

Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 977 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 28, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. 2. submitted on November 6, 2025, by Leslie Eudy of Golden, Colorado. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.