Introduction
The bicycle has a history that goes back about 600 years and is quite different than the bike as we know today. Many major innovations have dramatically transformed the bicycle’s form and features over the years. Earlier models had two wheels, but no way to steer, and even required a running start. One at a time, features were slowly developed such as mechanisms to steer, a way to propel the bicycle forward without touching the ground, and the system to slow and stop the bike. There were many major milestones for the bicycle as well as smaller innovations that show the evolution leading up to the modern bicycle that we use today.
History
Bicycling was first introduced in the 1800s, and it quickly became very popular. However, the basic bicycle design can be traced back to 1493, when Gian Giacomo Caprotti sketched out the idea. Another version was built in France in 1791. However, what many people consider the first practical bicycle was created in 1817 by Karl von Drais, a German civil servant. In 1868, the first documented bicycle race was held. Bikers racked 1,200 meters in the Park of Saint-Cloud in Paris. In the U.S., bicycles were incredibly popular in the early 1900s. The oldest bicycle racing club, the St. Louis Cycling Club, was established in 1887 and continues to host races and other events today. However, by 1920, the practice of cycling quickly died out because of the automobile and the growth of larger suburbs. In Europe, cycling continued to go strong until the 1950s. Today, though, more and more people are biking to work as a way of saving on gas, getting exercise, and because it’s fun.
How the Bicycle works and parts
A bicycle is a two-wheeled vehicle propelled by the rider’s feet pedaling, where the front wheel is mounted on a rotating fork allowing for steering via handlebars, and power is transferred from the pedals to the rear wheel through a chain connecting the chainwheel to a sprocket, enabling the rider to move at a pace significantly faster than walking while efficiently converting their physical energy into motion.
Key Parts:
- Two wheels: A bicycle has two wheels, one in the front and one in the back.
- Pedals: The rider pushes on pedals with their feet to generate power.
- Chain system: Power from the pedals is transferred to the rear wheel through a chain connecting the chainwheel (on the crankset) to the sprocket (on the rear hub).
- Steering: The front wheel is mounted on a rotating fork, allowing the rider to steer using handlebars.
- Frame: The wheels and components are attached to a frame which holds the bicycle together.
Conclusion
Bicycles are widely used for transportation, recreation, and sport (see cycling). Throughout the world, bicycles are essential to moving people and goods in areas where there are few automobiles. Globally, there are twice as many bicycles as automobiles, and they outsell automobiles three to one. The Netherlands, Denmark, and Japan actively promote bicycles for shopping and commuting. In the United States, bike paths have been constructed in many parts of the country, and bicycles are encouraged by the United States government as an alternative to automobiles.
Related Stories
https://rehook.bike/blogs/saddle-slang-the-dictionary-of-cycling-lingo/bicycle
https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/bicycling-walking/bicycling-washington/bicyclist-laws-safety
https://www.history.com/news/bicycle-history-invention
https://www.exploratorium.edu/explore/cycling/frames
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