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Derny

Motorized bicycle for motor-paced cycling events

A Derny is a motorized bicycle for motor-paced cycling events such as during six-day and Keirin racing and motor-paced road races. Some riders train behind a derny on the road. The Derny is so-called as it was originally produced by the French Derny firm, but the name Derny is now applied to all small cycle-pacing vehicles, regardless of manufacturer.2 It was founded by Roger Derny.1 It ceased to exist in 1958.1 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1930Founded1
  • HeadquartersVichy1

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Derny vainqueur des 500 mètres de Deauville en 1903 sur motocyclette Clément
Photo: Jules Beau, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons4

A Derny is a motorized bicycle for motor-paced cycling events such as during six-day and Keirin racing and motor-paced road races. Some riders train behind a derny on the road. The Derny is so-called as it was originally produced by the French Derny firm, but the name Derny is now applied to all small cycle-pacing vehicles, regardless of manufacturer.2

The story

Founded by Roger Derny in 1930.1

The first Derny 'Entraineur' or 'Bordeaux–Paris' moped, with its petrol tank mounted ahead of the handlebars, was built by Roger Derny et Fils of the Avenue de St Mandé, Paris, France, in 1938. A fleet of Dernys was maintained for the long-established 'Bordeaux-Paris' road-race and the Derny was used for many other track and road events and for endurance training. Derny also built a touring adaptation called the 'Solo' and tandems and mopeds.

Being a moped, the Derny had both a 98 cc (6.0 cu in) Zurcher two-stroke engine and pedals on a chainring sprocket, typically with 70 teeth on the front and 11 on the rear-wheel sprocket. The combination allows for smooth acceleration and slowing, important when the rider taking pace is only centimetres from the Derny's rear wheel. A freewheel coupling between the motor and the back wheel ensures the derny will not stop dead if the motor seizes. Top speed, with rider pedalling, is up to 50 km/h (31 mph), depending on gearing.

The firm closed in 1957, after an unsuccessful venture with the 'Taon', a Roger Tallon-designed motorcycle. Another company, Service Derny, of Rue Picpus, Paris, serviced and rebuilt machines into the 1970s.

From Wikipedia’s article on Derny, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.3

Leadership

Who has led Derny, and when. Pick a name to see everywhere that person has worked.

Timeline

  1. 1958Dissolved Dissolved1
  2. 1930Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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