What early bicycle-like machine is often, but incorrectly, attributed to Leonardo da Vinci?

Leonardo’s bicycle is the name commonly given to an early bicycle-like drawing often, but incorrectly, attributed to Leonardo da Vinci.

The sketch shows two wheels, a seat, pedals, handlebars, and a chain-like drive, making it look strikingly similar to a modern bicycle. It appeared in a codex associated with Leonardo at the end of the twentieth century, after restoration work at the Institut de France. Researchers subsequently identified it as a modern addition rather than an authentic Leonardo drawing.

No bicycle design appears in Leonardo’s authenticated notebooks. The first widely recognized bicycle-like vehicle was the draisine, introduced by Karl Drais in 1817; it had two wheels but was propelled by pushing against the ground and had no pedals.

This case is a useful reminder that an attractive drawing is not automatically reliable evidence. Attribution depends on provenance, materials, handwriting, and comparison with authenticated works.