| When bicycles were first introduced they were | | | | you will want to look for is an old bike that has a single |
| considered to be a recreational toy. However, retailers | | | | fixed gear. This is a good sign that the bike was |
| and message services quickly realized the value of | | | | designed for a courier service. Next you will want to |
| bicycles as a delivery vehicle. Bikes were quicker than | | | | look for evidence that the bike was owned by a |
| traveling by foot, and less expensive and easier to | | | | courier service. Look especially for painted company |
| maneuver than horses were. These qualities made | | | | names, company logo stickers and serial numbers that |
| them ideal for delivering packages and important | | | | you can use to authenticate the bike with. |
| messages in large cities. | | | | When shopping for an antique courier bike you also |
| The first courier bicycles were used by the Paris | | | | want collect the story behind the bike. Sometimes this |
| Stock Exchange in 1870. However, the American | | | | story can be just as valuable as the bike itself. If you |
| company, Western Union, quickly adopted bicycles into | | | | are buying the bike from the original owner or from a |
| their New York City delivery fleet. Bicycles were | | | | family member of the bike's owner, then you need to |
| gradually added to message delivery and package | | | | ask them for the story behind the bike. Ask if there |
| delivery services in other major cities throughout the | | | | are photos of the bike being used, if there are letters |
| world. Today, bikes are still a popular vehicle for in-city | | | | or written information on the bike and if they have any |
| package and message delivery services. | | | | family stories they are willing to share. This information |
| If you are interested in buying an antique courier | | | | and supplemental materials can add value to the bike if |
| bicycle then you need to know what to look for | | | | you are able to acquire them. |
| before you start spending money. The first thing that | | | | |