Cycling is an activity most commonly performed on a bicycle - when it is it is also referred to as bicycling or simply biking . It is the use of the bicycle, unicycle ( unicycling ), tricycles ( tricycling ), quadracycles ( quadracycling ), and other similar wheeled human-powered vehicles (HPVs) for the purpose of transport, as a form of recreation, or in racing. It is done on roads and paths, across open country or even over snow and ice ( icebiking ).
Bicycles were introduced in the 19th century and now number about one billion worldwide. They are the principal means of transportation in many regions.
Bicycling is a highly efficient mode of transportation and optimal for short to moderate distances. Compared to motor vehicles, bicycles have numerous benefits including the provision of exercise, generating renewable energy and thus no air pollution, reducing traffic congestion, minimizing noise pollution (nearly silent operation), easier and less costly parking, much lower likelihood of causing a fatality, high maneuverability, ability to travel on roads or special paths, and lower user cost as well as societal costs (negligible damage to roads, and less pavement required). Criticisms and downsides to cycling commonly include: reduced protection in crashes (including those with motor vehicles), longer travel time (except in densely populated areas), no inherent protection from poor weather, difficulty in transporting passengers, and the physical demands of operation.
History
Main article: History of cyclingEquipment
Main article: Bicycle
In many countries, the most commonly used vehicle for road transport is a utility bicycle. These have frames with relaxed geometry, protecting the rider from shocks from the road, and easing steering at low speeds.
Road bikes tend to have a more upright shape and a shorter wheelbase, which make the bike more mobile but harder to ride slowly. The design, coupled with low or dropped handlebars, requires the rider to bend forward more, utilizing stronger muscles and reducing air resistance at high speed.
The price of a new bicycle can range from US$50 to more than US$20,000, depending on quality, type and weight (the most exotic road bicycles can weigh as little as 3.2 kg (7 lb)). Being measured for a bike and taking it for a test ride are recommended before buying.
The drivetrain components of the bike should also be considered. A middle grade dérailleur is sufficient for a beginner, although many utility bikes come equipped with hub gears. If the rider plans a significant amount of hillclimbing, a triple-crank (three chainrings) front gear system may be preferred. Otherwise, the relatively lighter and less expensive two chainrings may be better. Much simpler fixed wheel bikes are also available, and may be more suitable for commuters.
Many road bikes along with mountain bikes include clipless pedals to which special shoes attach, via a cleat, permitting the rider to pull on the pedals as well as push. Other possible accessories for the bicycle include headlights and brake lights, bells or horns, disc brakes, child carrying seats, cycling computers with GPS, locks, bar tape, fenders, baggage racks, baggage carriers and pannier bags, water bottles and bottle cages.
For basic maintenance and repairs, cyclists can choose to carry a pump (or a CO 2 cartridge), a puncture repair kit, a spare inner tube, and tire levers. Cycling can be more efficient and comfortable with special shoes, gloves, and shorts. In wet weather, riding can be more tolerable with waterproof clothes, such as cape, jacket, pants and overshoes.
Items legally required in some jurisdictions, or voluntarily adopted for safety reasons, include bicycle helmets, generator or battery operated lights, reflectors, and audible signaling devices such as a bell or horn. Extras include studded tires and a bicycle computer.
Bikes can also be heavily customized, with different seat designs and handle bars, for example. The British art critic and presenter of the South Bank show, Melvyn Bragg, is a keen cycling enthusiast having customised his stunt racing bike with handle bar tassles, tubeless tires, and even icons of the A team, which appear with a flick of a switch.
Skills
Main article: Vehicular cyclingLearning to ride efficiently and safely in traffic is important. In the United Kingdom, many primary school children took the Cycling Proficiency Test, to help them cycle more safely. However, the Cycling Proficiency Test has now been superseded, for children, by 'Bikeability' and the National Standards for Cycle Training. In countries such as the Netherlands, where cycling is popular, cyclists sometimes ride in bike lanes at the side of, or separate from, main highways and roads. Many primary schools participate in the national road test in which children individually complete a circuit on roads near the school while being observed by testers.
Types
Urban
See also: Bicycle friendly
Cyclists, pedestrians and motorists make different demands on road design which may lead to conflicts. Some jurisdictions give priority to motorized traffic, for example setting up one-way street systems, free-right turns, high capacity roundabouts, and slip roads. Others may apply traffic restraint measures to limit the impact of motorized transport. In the former cases, cycling has tended to decline while in the latter it has tended to be maintained. Occasionally, extreme measures against cycling may occur. In Shanghai, where bicycles were once the dominant mode of transport, bicycle travel on a few city roads was banned temporarily in December 2003.
In areas in which cycling is popular and encouraged, cycle-parking facilities using bicycle stands, lockable mini-garages, and patrolled cycle parks are used in order to reduce theft. Local governments promote cycling by permitting the carriage of bicycles on public transport or by providing external attachment devices on public transport vehicles. Conversely, an absence of secure cycle-parking is a recurring complaint by cyclists from cities with low modal share of cycling.
Extensive bicycle path systems may be found in some cities. Such dedicated paths often have to be shared with in-line skaters, scooters, skateboarders, and pedestrians. Segregating bicycle and automobile traffic in cities has met with mixed success, both in terms of safety and bicycle promotion. At some point the two streams of traffic inevitably intersect, often in a haphazard and congested fashion. Studies have demonstrated that, due to the high incidence of accidents at these sites, some such segregated schemes can actually increase the number of car-bike collisions.
Bicycles are considered a sustainable mode of transport, especially suited for urban use and relatively shorter distances when used for transport (compared to recreation). Case studies and good practices (from European cities and some worldwide examples) that promote and stimulate this kind of functional cycling in cities can be found at Eltis, Europe's portal for local transport.
In the Netherlands bicycle paths are widespread and are (in the cities) closed to scooters. Cyclists in the Netherlands are well protected as the law assumes the stronger participant (i.e. the car driver) is guilty until proved innocent (ie is the guilty party in all accidents involving weaker traffic unless evidence of the opposite is provided). Furthermore, drivers know to expect bikes, which are plentiful. Due to these issues the number of car-bike collisions with serious consequences is not alarmingly high in the Netherlands
Utility
Main article: utility cycling
Utility cycling refers both to cycling as a mode of daily commuting transport as well as the use of a bicycle in a commercial activity, mainly to transport goods.
The postal services of many countries have long relied on bicycles. The British Royal Mail first started using bicycles in 1880; now bicycle delivery fleets include 37,000 in the UK, 25,700 in Ge
Street Bike Reviews and Tests - Motorcycle USA
Featuring street bike road tests and comparison reviews of all ... 2010 Ducati Hypermotard 796 Video Blog; 2010 Can-Am Spyder ... MotoUSA Magazine Get your copy FREE!
Street Racing Video. Motorcycle - Street Racing & Stunts | HQ car ...
Motorcycle Street Racing & Stunts video. Illegal Street bike racing. ... Best Racing PC games Car Tuning Videos Free online racing games Nice cars videos Road ...
Motorcycle Stunt Riders, Street & Drag Racing Sport Bikes - Super ...
Find Super Streetbike Magazine articles about street racing and drag racing sport bikes including ... Street Bike News; Motorcycle Video Clips; Custom Motorcycle Wallpapers; Super Streetbike ...
YouTube - Bikes - Illegal Street Racing (looseing the cops 180 MPH ...
Bikes - Illegal Street Racing (looseing the cops 180 MPH) ... 1k from the redline, that wasnt kph and the video ... Join YouTube for a free account, or sign in ...
Hip Hop Video: Street super bikes - Racing & Tricks - Goldmic
Street super bikes - Racing & Tricks ... SVT COBRA Street Racing-AWESOME Video!!! ... Create your free account ...
Urban Street Bike Warriors - Smashes, Crashes and Bashes on Yahoo ...
Urban Street Bike Warriors - Smashes, Crashes and Bashes ... Download the entire 42 minute video free at http://www ... Shrek Smash 'N' Crash Racing User Review 100350
Free Online Children's Game,Bike,Car Racing Games for Kids to Play
Play Free Car Racing Games & Bike Games, action games, jigsaw puzzles. Free Online Car Racing Game - Street Racer -Too Fast ... the questions asked correctly and get to the video ...
Street Bike Stunts Video
Street Bike Stunts None 4 min - Nov 11, 2005 Street Bike ... Street bike-Racing & Tricks - Motorcycles Stunts with ... Flash Bike Stunts Free Game | Games | Oynayacam Free Online ...
Free Powerstands Racing Rear Stand | Sport Bike Accessories Blog ...
Read the Super Streetbike Magazine Free Powerstands Racing Rear Stand discussion and ... Street Bike News; Motorcycle Video Clips; Custom Motorcycle Wallpapers; Super Streetbike Community
YouTube - Street bike Racing
Street bike Racing ... This video has no Responses. Be the first to Post a ... Join YouTube for a free account, or sign in if ...