During the 1870’s, high-wheel bicycles became popular. Riders, predominantly men, chose how large they wanted the front wheels to be–the larger the wheel, the faster the bike. Bicycles like this were very popular even though they could be dangerous. The Bicycle Song was just one of many songs written about this popular new form of entertainment. The words and music were written by Thomas Keith and printed by Oliver Ditson & Co. in Boston, Massachusetts.