Bicycle racing played a significant role in the early automobile industry, as demonstrated by Tom Cooper's career. As a prominent bicycle racer, Tom Cooper was drawn to the emerging automobile industry in the early 1900s, much like other racers such as Fisher and Oldfield. His experience and skills in racing自行车 racing contributed to the early automobile industry in several ways:

1. Transition of Skills: Bicycle racers, being the fastest men of their time, brought their speed and competition experience to the new field of automobile racing. This helped to establish the sport and excitement around early automobiles.

2. Coaching and Mentorship: Tom Cooper coached Henry Ford, who later became a prominent figure in the automobile industry. Ford, with Cooper's guidance, was able to beat America's best race-car driver at the time in a 1901 contest at Grosse Pointe. This event highlights the influence of bicycle racers on the development of automobile racing and the industry as a whole.

3. Innovation and Competition: The competitive nature of bicycle racing likely spurred innovation in the early automobile industry. Racers' desire to go faster and further would have driven advancements in automotive technology.

4. Public Interest and Acceptance: The popularity of bicycle racing helped to generate public interest in the new automobile industry. As people became more accustomed to seeing races and speed competitions with bicycles, they were more likely to embrace the concept with automobiles.

In summary, Tom Cooper's career and the broader involvement of bicycle racers in the early automobile industry contributed to the development of the sport, the transfer of skills, the fostering of innovation, and the generation of public interest. This convergence of bicycle racing and the automobile industry helped to shape the future of transportation and American industry.