Meet the Brisbane man keeping the love and art of the penny-farthing alive for future generations.

Brett Richardson has been passing on the art of bike building to other enthusiasts via a unique TAFE course — Building a Penny-Farthing.

Soon the course will celebrate the construction of its 100th penny-farthing.

Brett Richardson enjoys teaching others to build vintage vehicles. ( ABC Radio Brisbane: Ruth De Glas )

"It was a hobby for me which has turned into a job, so I'm very privileged with what I do," Mr Richardson said.

The course, which runs through TAFE SkillsTech, takes more than 15 weeks during which time students learn to build the vintage vehicle.

"My main focus is the 1870s and 1880s," Mr Richardson said

"We run the course to inspire others to build these beasts as well.

"When students complete the bike they end up with a machine worth more than $3,000."

He said the students young and old who learned to build the bike were drawn to its history.

"The penny-farthing has only two wheels, the one large and one small wheel.

"They were based on the penny and the farthing from the old coins and people love this."

50kph on two wheels

Mr Richardson said the popularity of the penny-farthing continued to grow.

He runs an annual event called Pennies by the Sea as well as taking part in the Queensland Agriculture Show (The Ekka).

"Many people say it's my fault that there's more penny-farthings around.

"There's a lot of interest in these bikes as they're such an unusual machine and people come from everywhere just to have a look at them."

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Mr Richardson can reach speeds of up to 50 kilometre per hour on his penny-farthing.

"It's really not that difficult, it's just like riding a bike ... once you're up there it's just the same.

"The issue is getting on and off, but ... that's where the skill is, in getting that jump up to the seat.

"If you jump too far you end up in front of the bike."