As a matter of fact, bicycles are one of the oldest and most refined technologies available to us.
Bicycles can hardly be considered an old technology. While Da Vinci had already sketched some designs in the late 15th century [1], the first prototypes could not be built before the early 19th century.
The first recognizable version of the current chain-driven models was only produced in 1885. [2]
The chain-driven bicycle is not as simple as it looks.
Show me another widespread technology that exists since the late 1800s and that has not been completely replaced by another technology. Most technologies get replaced by newer 'disruptive' technologies in rather short times (think gasoline vs. steam vs. electricity for trains or turbine vs. gasoline for planes).
The 'driving force' for bicycles has stayed virtually the same (human muscles), but the transmissions and layouts have been improved steadily. Only the advent of hybrid electric-and-muscle driven e-bikes can be seen as an actual revolution in cycling technology.
You are forgetting about a 17th-century invention based on running water [1] which, by the way, to this day is considered by many to be significantly more hygienic than wiping.
Bicycles can hardly be considered an old technology. While Da Vinci had already sketched some designs in the late 15th century [1], the first prototypes could not be built before the early 19th century.
The first recognizable version of the current chain-driven models was only produced in 1885. [2]
The chain-driven bicycle is not as simple as it looks.
[1] http://www.ltolman.org/davinci.htm [2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycles