A team of eight engineering enthusiasts from the Netherlands has made history by building the world’s longest bicycle, measuring a staggering 55.16 meters (180 ft 11 in). The colossal two-wheeled vehicle is roughly the same length as two blue whales placed end-to-end and has officially earned a place in the Guinness World Records.
The record-breaking ride, led by 39-year-old Ivan Schalk, shattered the previous record of 47.5 meters (155 ft 8 in), which was set in 2020 by Bernie Ryan of Australia. Schalk, who has a background in building carnival floats, was inspired to pursue the record after reading a Guinness World Records book as a child.
The construction of the bicycle was a monumental undertaking, with the team spending years on the project. The front and rear sections were built in-house, while the exceptionally long central frame was created by a company that specializes in long steel structures.
To meet the strict Guinness World Records criteria, the bicycle had to be a pedaled vehicle with two wheels, one behind the other, and be steered with handlebars attached to the front wheel. The team successfully rode the massive bike a distance of 100 meters, with one person steering at the front and another pedaling at the back.
The record-breaking bicycle is now on display at the Prinsenbeek local history museum, a testament to the ingenuity and perseverance of the team.
