The Western Wheelman was formed in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1896, with the first publication printed in December of that year. With a Chicago representative, the magazine attempted to serve the needs of bicyclists in Chicago, Grand Rapids and the Great Lakes area. The magazine was devoted exclusively to professional bicycle racing, and attempted to be a force in the creation of racing circuits in Michigan and the nation. The policy of The Western Wheelman was to create racing circuits modeled upon baseball leagues, with the more important circuits existing in the larger cities. Unfortunately, the popularity of racing, especially as an organized endeavor, lost its appeal to the populace in general, and The Western Wheelman along with its several competitors in the Great Lakes area, were forced out of business.