Ever wondered where we got the name De’ils On Wheels for our community bike workshop? Well wonder no more!

De’ils On Wheels is named in the spirit of Kirkpatrick MacMillan, the Scots inventor of the pedal bicycle.

In 1842 the blacksmith rode his machine 70 miles from Dumfries into Glasgow, where people flocked to see the arrival of the “De’il on Wheels”.

Unfortunately this led to him crashing into a small girl, and he was fined 5d as a result.

However, the judge was so impressed by Kirkpatrick’s invention, he returned the fine. Kirkpatrick rode home, never exploiting his invention, not thinking of patents or money making, and quite unconcerned with the fuss he’d caused!

You can see a range of bikes from across history at Glasgow's Riverside Museum!