Nonpolluting benefits of bicycles
Bicycles are pedal-driven vehicles that represent one of the most efficient forms of human-powered transportation and are virtually nonpolluting. Advocates emphasize their environmental benefits, particularly in reducing fossil fuel consumption. The history of the bicycle dates back to the early 19th century, beginning with the Laufmaschine, and evolving through various designs to the modern safety bicycle known today. In the 21st century, bicycles come in numerous varieties, including cruisers, road bikes, and mountain bikes, catering to different riding preferences and terrains.
Cycling not only promotes environmental sustainability but also serves as a beneficial form of exercise that can enhance physical fitness. Many people enjoy cycling as a recreational activity, with millions of Americans participating annually. Additionally, competitive cycling, including notable events like the Tour de France, showcases the sport's global appeal. By increasing bicycle use for daily commutes, especially in urban areas, there is potential for significant reductions in oil dependency and greenhouse gas emissions, making bicycles a compelling choice for eco-conscious individuals and communities.
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Nonpolluting benefits of bicycles
DEFINITION: Pedal-driven vehicles consisting of light frames mounted on two wheels, one in front of the rider and the other behind, steered by means of handlebars
The bicycle is the most efficient form of human-powered transportation and is virtually nonpolluting. Many environmentalists advocate the increased use of bicycles for daily transportation in the United States and other developed nations where bicycle use tends to be confined to recreation.
German inventor Karl Drais produced the of the modern bicycle in 1817. The device, known as the Laufmaschine (running machine), had a frame that the rider straddled between two wheels of the same size, similar in appearance to today’s bicycle. The Laufmaschine had no pedals—it was propelled by the rider’s feet pushing against the ground. In 1865, the velocipede appeared; this improved on the earlier device with pedals attached to the front wheel. Shortly thereafter, in 1870, the high-wheel bicycle appeared. Also known as the penny-farthing, it had a large front wheel and a much smaller rear wheel (the name penny-farthing was inspired by the relative sizes of the old British penny and farthing coins). The large front wheel allowed faster cycling speeds than were possible on the velocipede, but the high front wheel made it difficult to mount and ride.
By the end of the nineteenth century, the bicycle had evolved to a form that was similar in appearance to the modern bicycle. This vehicle, dubbed the safety bicycle, had two equal-sized wheels with pedals mounted midframe that were connected by a chain to the rear wheel. The safety bicycle sported pneumatic (inflatable) tires, which replaced the hard-riding, solid-rubber tires used on the high-wheel bicycle.
Modern Bicycles
The varieties of bicycles available in the twenty-first century range from basic cruisers to lightweight racing models. An example of a basic cruiser is the single-speed Flying Pigeon, which is widely used as transportation in China. Basic cruisers may have three or more gears. Beyond the basic cruiser are the road bike, designed for use on paved roads, and the mountain bike, intended to be used off-road on hilly terrain. Both types have one, two, or three front chain rings connected to the pedals. Power from the front chain ring is transmitted through a chain to the rear-wheel derailleur, which may have up to ten different gears (cogs); thus bicycles may have up to thirty different gear ratios. Low ratios are used for hill climbing, and high ratios allow for pedaling at high speeds. Both road and mountain bikes come in tandem models, which accommodate two riders. A variation on traditional models is the recumbent bicycle; to use a recumbent bike, the rider sits low to the ground on a seat mounted on the frame between the two wheels rather than straddling a saddle mounted on the frame.
Bicycle riders, or cyclists, must overcome two primary forces: gravity and air resistance. Cyclists have an advantage over runners and walkers in overcoming gravity—gearing aids them in climbing hills, and the downhills give them a chance to recharge. Weight is an important factor in hill climbing—a relatively small rider on a lightweight bicycle has a definite advantage. In regard to air resistance, a stiff headwind can make forward progress difficult for cyclists even on a level surface. In the absence of wind, air increases exponentially with speed. Crouching on a bicycle decreases wind resistance. Recumbent bikes have less wind resistance because of their low profile. These bikes are often equipped with aerodynamic windshields, which further reduce wind resistance. When cyclists ride as a group, they commonly engage in a practice known as drafting, in which they trail each other closely to take advantage of the reduced wind resistance behind other riders. After a turn at the front of the pack, the lead riders drop to the rear, and less fatigued riders take the lead.
Benefits of Cycling
Many environmentalists promote the nonpolluting benefits of bicycle use, as well as the fact that bicycles do not consume fossil fuels. Some experts have estimated that if everyone in the United States who lives 16 kilometers (10 miles) or less from work were to travel to work every day on a bicycle rather than in a motor vehicle, the nation could become independent of foreign oil. Cycling is also a pleasant form of exercise that can improve physical fitness, and cycling clubs around the world enhance the enjoyment of this activity for many enthusiasts. According to the online data gathering website Statista, 54.7 million Americans rode bicycles in 2022.
Beyond recreational riding, many cyclists engage in highly competitive activities. Many bicycle races are conducted in many different nations; some take place on paved roads, some on off-road routes, and some on oval tracks called velodromes. One well-known road race is the annual Tour de France, in which professional teams of cyclists race throughout France, including routes that take them up and down the Alps, covering some 3,200 kilometers (2,000 miles) in approximately three weeks.
Bibliography
Hurst, Robert. The Art of Cycling: A Guide to Bicycling in Twenty-first-Century America. Guilford, Conn.: Falcon, 2004.
"Number of Bicycling Participants in the United States From 2010 to 2022." Statista, 11 Oct. 2023, www.statista.com/statistics/191204/participants-in-bicycling-in-the-us-since-2006/. Accessed 12 July 2024.
Peveler, Willard. The Complete Book of Road Cycling and Racing. Camden, Maine: Ragged Mountain Press, 2008.
Sovndal, Shannon. Cycling Anatomy, 2nd ed. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics, 2019.