Gorgeous Animation Shows How Far Bikes Have Come Since The Penny-Farthing (VIDEO)

Evolution of the Bicycle from Visual Artwork on Vimeo.

If you've ever spent time watching bicyclists pedal by you, you'll notice that bikes come in all forms: mountain bikes, road bikes, beach cruisers and more. So how did this cycling diversity come to be?

Take one look at this beautiful animation by Copenhagen design firm Visual Artwork, and you'll have your answer. Bikes have changed a lot since their advent in the 19th century, so it's no wonder they still seem to be morph every time you look around. The next time you're hesitant to hop on a bicycle, just think how lucky you are that there are now better options than the penny-farthing.

Biking benefits both the health of the rider and the environment, so it's not surprising that biking seems to be gaining popularity: Bike commuting grew by 47 percent from 2000 to 2011 in the U.S., according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And in Europe, bikes outsold cars in almost every European nation in 2012, reported NPR.

(h/t Grist)