The invention and development of motorcycles involved the contributions of many individuals, and it is difficult to pinpoint a single person as the definitive first rider on a public road. However, there are a few notable figures in the history of motorcycles who played significant roles in their early development.
One such figure is Sylvester Howard Roper, an American inventor, who is often credited with building the first successful steam-powered motorcycle in the 1860s. Roper's steam-powered velocipede was capable of achieving speeds of up to 40 miles per hour, and it is believed that he rode it on public roads.
Another significant figure is Gottlieb Daimler, a German engineer and industrialist, who is credited with building the first gasoline-powered motorcycle in 1885. While there is no specific record of Daimler riding his motorcycle on a public road, his invention paved the way for the development of modern motorcycles.
It's important to note that these individuals were among the early pioneers in motorcycle development, and their contributions laid the foundation for the motorcycles we know today. However, the history of motorcycles is complex and involved the efforts of many inventors and engineers around the world.