Hi,
Does anybody know why the word „pushbike“ is often used in England? I have trawled the web, but can’t find a logical explanation.
I use the word myself, but have no idea where the „push“ part comes from. In the company where I used to work, the word was a source of great merriment for the American colleagues, as it is not used over the other side of the pond. 
I appreciate that the first bicycles had no pedals, a little like the „new“ wooden bikes available for small children, but old advertising information always seems to refer to „bicycles“.
Any suggestions?
Also, can anyone tell me the standard (British) English term for a „Liegerad“? The correct term would appear to be „recumbent bicycle“, but I can’t imagine people I know saying „I think I’ll just pop out for a spin on my recumbent bicycle“… This kind of bicycle didn’t exist when I still lived in Blighty.
Many thanks,
MacD
