bicycles

[chris1970]

why is a push bike called a push bike

[Postdog]

to distinguish it from a motor bike I should imagine. and when you aren't riding it. you're pushing it.

[dot.hawkes]

because you have to push on the pedals for it to start and keep going, a motorbike is automated

[Octavius]

Because it requires physical exertion to operate it, to apply force. They were also known as pedal bikes.

In the olden days (pre-enlightenment) people obviously needed this explained, so you had push-bikes, push-buttons, push-ups, push-over and push-off. Applying the alternate prefix �pull� had a whole new set of meanings.