Well, the bicycle wasn't invented til the century after that, but, to answer your question, it was invented to be a mode of transportation. It is faster than walking, though still slower than riding a horse. A mode of transportation is defined as a device or action utilized in order to transport something tangible (such as oneself, or perhaps a perishable good such as yogurt...key lime pie flavor anyone?) from one place to another. Other examples that should be noted are the automobile, boat, plane, or possibly a highly tamed liger. Ligers are a cross between a lion and a tiger, and are thought to have magical powers. They're just about the coolest animal ever....God!