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Want to have a ride?
You’ll all agree, how much fun it is to ride a bicycle, specially when you are learning to balance it without falling every now and then. Once you master it you can pedal anywhere on your own; or arrange a cycle race with your friends. Today, there is a wide range of bicycles to select from, but it was not so a few centuries ago.
In the second half of the 17th century an inelegant two wheeled vehicle (i.e. a bicycle) was popular among the people. By 1869, in England, a new machine containing solid rubber tyres mounted on steel rims was introduced under the name of “Modern Bicycle”.
Then in 1873 an English inventor named James Starley invented the first bicycle combining most of the features of a number of ordinary or high wheeled bicycles. It came to be known as Starley’s machine after its inventor’s name. Its front wheel was as much as three times wider than the rear wheel.
Over the years many modifications and major improvements were introduced, which included an airy tyre and a ball-bearing. The most noteworthy inventions were the use of weldless steel tubing and spring seats.
Safe and comfortable bicycles were manufactured in the 1880s, their wheels were nearly equal in size so that the pedals attached to a cog through gears and a chain which drove the rear wheel would make riding a bicycle more pleasurable.
Bicycles today
For the last few years, bicycles are being made in a very wide range of different frame sizes to suit cyclists according to their height and style. Nowadays there are many types of bicycles, such as:
Mountain bike
Racer bike
Tricycles .... etc
There is also a wide range of different colours to suit one’s mood. Light weight bicycles are used for racing, with modern multi speed and multi gears. High gears are used for high speeds or cycling down from a slope or hill. Low gears are for peddling up slopes or hills.
Middle weight for riders who are not very tall. For young kids tricycles and small ones with two two extra wheels are also available in a wide range of attractive colours.
Scooti
These days Scooti is in vogue. It is not generally available at bicycle stores. Scooti is basically a child’s vehicle that consists of a narrow board mounted over the two wheels with an upright steering handle attached to the front wheel.
Extra accessories
As modern bicycles arrived they were accompanied by their extra accessories such as different kinds of bells, single sound horns, multi sound horns, reflectors, speedometers, carrying baskets, flags, headlights, rear lights, etc.
Maintenance
Here are a few tips for maintaining your bicycle:
* Once in a week clean your bicycle with a little wet cloth and you can also use ordinary car polish to maintain that sheen. To wash tyres you can use detergent in little amount with water.
* At least once in a month grease the chain so it doesn’t rust.
* Most important, every time check the breaks of the bicycle before riding it.
Safety guideline
Bicycles today are much more safe and comfortable than their older counterparts. But even then a cyclist must be careful and ride attentively. Here are some safety guidelines:
* The risk of death or serious injury is greater to cyclists on the roads and therefore it’s necessary to keep distance from other vehicles.
* Reflectors should be placed on the wheels; it helps other drivers to see the cyclist at night.
* Try wearing protective helmets.
* Follow traffic laws like stopping at the signal, etc.
* Never rush for the spaces left between the vehicles.
* Always place a horn or a bell on the bicycle to make others notice.
Health line
Cycling is the best way to remain fit. The largest number of bicycles throughout the world is found in China and that is why China is less polluted than other countries. Cycling reduces a major chunk of pollution from the environment.
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