Why was riding an ordinary bicycle dangerous?

The "ordinary" bicycle, also known as a penny-farthing, was inherently unsafe due to its design and the rider's position. Because the rider sat almost directly over the large front wheel, they were highly susceptible to being pitched forward onto their head if the bicycle encountered road hazards.1

Additionally, the ordinary relied on a direct-drive system where the pedals were connected to the front wheel hub. Braking was achieved through reverse pressure on the pedals or a lever-operated spoon brake; consequently, hard back-pedaling or severe braking could also cause the rider to be thrown forward. Furthermore, the height of the bicycle made mounting and dismounting a process that required significant skill. These factors, combined with the high center of gravity, made the ordinary a dangerous vehicle compared to the later safety bicycle, which featured a lower center of gravity, chain-driven rear wheels, and improved braking stability.123