Today, bicycles have become a priceless commodity more than ever. With the rise of COVID-19, bikes are a source of traveling and riding alongside friends without physical contact. Bicycles also provide transportation and exercise.

Some cyclists ride their favorite racing or mountain bike, while other riders enjoy perusing landscapes while riding. If you are a bicycle enthusiast, learning about the many makes, years, sizes, and designs is a treat. From folding bikes, hybrid, touring, old-school beach cruisers, and tandem bicycles, here are five must-see bicycle museums that will leave fans of bicycles wanting to see more.

Marin Museum of Bicycling, Fairfax, CA

Take a trip back in time to the origin of mountain biking and the history of the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps. The Marin Museum of Bicycling houses bicycles dating back to 1860, including the Igler. Its collection explores the bikes’ 19th-century evolution from its creation to the bike’s Golden Age in the 1890s. Also, the Marin Museum houses the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame founded in 1988. Displays next to each exhibit feature information with images that explain each bike. To get to the museum, you must book a ride on the Golden Gate Ferry to Larkspur, and then have a remarkable 35-minute bike ride to the museum. The museum also offers other routes and means on its website. Unfortunately, because of COVID-19, the Marin Museum of Bicycling is closed.

The Motorcyclepedia Museum, Newburgh, NY

The Motorcyclepedia museum houses a vast collection of velocipedes and motorcycles, including the 1884 De Dion-Bouton Et Trapardoux Dos-à-dos Steam Runabout, the world’s oldest running vehicle. Before 1876, the velocipede was a steam-powered, two-wheeled vehicle, a precursor to the motorcycle. Motorcyclepedia’s extensive collection of Excelsior, Henderson, and Excelsior-Henderson models includes touring and hill-climbing vehicles. Among many of the museum’s exhibitions are the Indian Motorcycles, the first American motorcycle company predating Harley Davidson. Although the museum is open, it only opens at 25% capacity per NYS Mandatory Guidelines.

The Bicycle Museum of America, New Bremen, OH

The Bicycle Museum of America offers over 200 bicycles on display. Take a stroll back in time to 1816 and meet Karl Drai’s Draisine. The Draisine became a fundamental means of transit after Mt. Tambura erupted. This is just one of the many historical facts you’ll come across. Through images and text, the museum traces the bicycle’s evolution and its effect on landscapes. Visit the 1875 Ariel, which introduced the era of the high-wheel in the 1870s. Or find out how Otto Dicycle gave women freedom in the 1880s. The Bicycle Museum of America is open.

Bicycle Heaven, Pittsburgh, PA

Living up to their name, Bicycle Heaven provides an overabundance of antique and contemporary bicycles, gears, and commodities. Items include memorabilia, banana seats, and cranks. Opened in 2011 by Craig and Mindy Morrow, the New York Times and the Associated Press declared Bicycle Heaven “the world’s largest bicycle museum”. Besides featured relics, the store takes in bike repairs, trades, rents, or buys a new bike. With over 6,000 vintage and new bicycles, their vast collection of memorabilia has bicycles ridden by the Beatles and Elvis Presley. Bicycle Heaven is open.

Lane Motor Museum, Nashville, TN

Lane Motor Museum houses 150 unique cars, motorcycles, and is the largest European collection in the U.S. Their eclectic collection of bicycles, floating, and flying vehicles date back to the early 1900s to modern-day technology. In addition, the Lane Motor Museum’s assortment of microcars, military, alternative fuel, prototypes, and one-of-a-kind vehicles come from Europe, Asia, and North and South America. Visit the bicycle exhibit and find stunning displays such as the 1920 Columbia Chainless Bicycle created by Albert A. Pope. Pope’s invention focuses on the connection of the driveshaft by beveled gears at each end. The 1914 C.B. Klinedinst Special Bicycle with Aerothrust Propeller, designed with an Aerothrust unit mounted to a B. Klinedinst racing bicycle, will fascinate you; as will the 2017 Brompton Black Edition invented by Andrew Ritchie. The bikes fold in 20 seconds and continue to be the UK’s largest manufacturer. Call the Lane Motor Museum to confirm its hours.