Soon after their invention in the 19th century, the
bicycle was adopted into the circus repertoire. Initially prevalent as group acts, early performers drew inspiration from equestrian circus, or
hippodrama, and the art form gradually became a more individual act.
Notable early performers Notable early performers include: • Harry French • • Dan Canary •
Lilly Yokoi, bicycle acrobat who performed on a gold-plated bicycle •
Joe Jackson Sr. • Jack Natirboff, “The Bicycle Clown” • Baraka Jima Fermouz, Tanzanian clown bicycle performer whose act included tall bikes or "giraffes", as well as miniature bikes. • Serge Huercio, BMX performer who trained at the Centre National des Arts du Cirque in Châlons-en-Champagne == See also ==