Can you draw a bicycle from memory, without looking at a photo or diagram? Before reading further, take out a sheet of paper and a pencil and try doing this, No cheating or looking at a picture.

Did you have trouble, even after initial confidence that this would be easy? Well, if so you are in good company!

Apparently this is a difficult task for most people and the following article explains why and shows the amusing results when your average person on the street is asked to do so. 

https://www.fastcompany.com/3059056/you-cant-draw-a-bike-and-we-can-prove-it

Italian Designer Gianluca Gimini has gone one step further in creating realistic renderings of such “impossible bicycles”.

https://www.behance.net/gallery/35437979/Velocipedia 

Nevertheless, I am going to show you how to easily draw a bicycle from memory, so the next time someone asks (if they ever do) Can you draw a bicycle from memory, you will be able to answer: “Of course, drawing a bicycle is easy!”

Step 1

Draw a circle, then at about a half diameter away, draw another identical circle. Find and mark the center of each.

step 2 Add a small circle with approximately a quarter of the diameter of original circles and place it  next to one wheel, this will be the rear wheel, with its center on a horizontal line to the center of the big circle.

Step 3 Draw a diagonal line from the center of the small circle to a point outside the “front wheel”, near but not quite vertically above the center, at around 11 o’clock 

Step 4 Add a line almost but not quite parallel to this front line, coming from the center of rear wheel.















Step 5 Connect the two diagonal lines as shown below, making a trapezoidal-like figure. Note that this is not a true trapezoid on most bikes, but close to it will do for our drawing.

Step 6  Drop two more lines. One from the upper right corner of “trapezoid-like figure” to the center of the front wheel.  Draw another running from the center of the small wheel through the upper intersection of lines  on the left (the  projection is the location for the seat). To complete most of the bike frame. add a small vertical line at the top in the front for the post that holds the handlebars,

Step 7  Add Chain and pedals as shown to small wheel













Step 8 Add seat and underslung handlebars at the height necessary for your rider.



Step 9 Thicken tires and reinforce bike frame if you wish


Et voila!you CAN draw a bicycle! (add spokes and panniers and water bottle as you wish)














Step 10 is the hardest part– adding a rider to your bicycle! Come back soon and I hope to explain this more difficult task  at a later date.


Can you draw a bicycle now? Take out a fresh piece of paper and try it to see how much you remember of this exercise. With only a little practice you will find drawing a bicycle is indeed easy!