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MAJOR TAYLOR

Fastest Cyclist in the World
Open Until Oct 2022
Major Taylor
Open Until Oct 2022

Discover the life and career of champion bicycle racer and Indianapolis native Marshall “Major” Taylor.

In this interactive experience, venture into the training room to learn how Taylor developed his speed and agility through a strict regimen of exercise and diet. Discover the pervasive racism that Taylor battled – from his competitors and in his hometown – and hear from great contemporary cyclists about how Taylor’s story has inspired a new generation of Black riders. See Taylor’s bicycle and many artifacts from the museum collection donated by his daughter Rita Sydney Taylor Brown, plus learn about bicycle safety and design, tinker with bikes and bike parts, test your skills and times on stationary bikes and more.

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The Mechanics

Get hands-on with bicycle mechanics in the Bike Shop. Build your own bike then test it on the test track. Take a quiz to find out if you were a bike, what kind would you be? Learn how to change a flat tire. Race Major Taylor’s world-record times as you pedal on a stationary bike.

A graphic of Major Taylor and his family

His Life

Major Taylor was an accomplished, world-renowned athlete and a devoted family man. Learn more about his success through photographs and scrapbooks from the museum’s collection that detail his racing strategies and his determination to overcome racism on and off the track. Also, read personal letters written to his wife and daughter when he traveled abroad.

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His Legacy

Major Taylor has left a lasting impact on the cycling world in many ways. See and hear stories from current pro athletes and hobbyists. Find out about the “Invisible Riders” in our community – the people who rely almost solely on bikes to get where they need to go. Learn how you can become more involved in ongoing efforts to make our city more bike friendly.

Photo courtesy of photographer Kit Karzen

HEAR FROM SOCIAL HISTORY CURATOR KISHA TANDY

  • About Marshall Major Taylor

  • Marshall Major Taylor Legacy

  • Indiana State Museum Major Taylor Collection

  • Accessing the Life of Major Marshall Taylor

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