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Bicycles

Audience: The relevant audience for this work is the potential users of the bicycle. Since it has many positive effects, potentials users could buy and use them.

A bicycle could also be called a bike, pushbike or cycle. It is a two-wheeled pedal-ridden automobile. A bicycle is manually powered for it to move. One of the wheels is at the front and the other on the rear. The two wheels have been joined by a frame and a rider’s seat is fixed at the center. A bicycle rider is referred to as a cyclist or bicyclist. Bicycles were invented in the 19th century. Currently, they are about one billion in the world at large. This is two times the number of vehicles that exist. Due to their affordable maintenance and simplicity, they are the main mode of transport in most of the areas. Apart from their transporting services, they are also used for recreation, body exercising and fitness, courier services and used by the police (Petrie 17).

The criteria for this evaluation will cover its description, evolution, benefits, limitation and impacts. This criterion has been chosen because it will help to cover all areas of this topic. For one to evaluate this topic well, these areas must be discussed to give a complete coverage of this work. A description is important because it will enlighten us on what is being evaluated. The next step is evaluation in terms of evolution then evaluating the benefits and the impacts or implications.

According to Petrie (28), the convention model of a bicycle has been changing gradually since the first model of a chain was developed at about 1885. Since then, many changes have been made, especially after embracing modernity and computer technology. This has made provisions for many types of designs for the bicycles. Inventing the bicycle has brought a huge implication in the communities, both culture wise and in modernity of industrial methods. Some of the parts found in a vehicle originated from a bicycle. These include the wheels, ball bearings and other similar parts.

Types of bicycles can be classified depending on the several factors like the function, number of riders, method of construction, how it has been geared, how it propels, the position of the rider and sporting category. Some bicycles are meant for commuting and completing brief errands. They could also be referred to as utility bicycles. They include Cruiser, recumbent, time trial, racing, mountain and BMX bicycles. Such bicycles are made using middle or heavy metal frames. Most bicycles are meant to be for a single rider and one passenger. Some include an adult seat and one or two child carriers. A bicycle that has two riders is called a tandem. Others have more riders and the bike with most riders is called a multi bike. It has up to forty riders.

The bicycle is convenient biologically and mechanically. It is the most efficient manual powered mode of transport when it comes to the amount of energy an individual would use to travel a certain distance. When mechanical opinion is considered, Petty (21) states that 99% of the energy gotten from the rider into the pedals is directed to the wheels, although the mechanisms of gearing might decline by 10–15%. Depending on the weight of luggage, a bicycle is a convenient alternative for this purpose. To add on what has been said previously, the carbon dioxide emitted when producing and transporting the food required by the cyclist, is less than a tenth of that emitted by vehicles.

Just like vehicles, the bikes have also standards that the producers should observe. This is done to ensure safety of the riders and passengers. In some countries, the law requires the rider to wear a helmet and pads on the elbows and knees. This is done to minimize cases of injuries should an accident occur. Bicycles are used to ferry passengers in other countries. Therefore, there are by-laws that should be observed especially to protect the passenger (Petty 15). The passenger might not have protective clothing like the rider so he or she is left vulnerable. To avoid such cases, the law has put in place regulations that should be observed by riders who intend to do commercial work with their bicycles.

Apart from transportation, the bicycles have brought many other benefits, both culturally and in industrialization. Introduction of use of bicycles reduced congestion in the inner city by enabling workers to live in better decent houses outside the city. Bicycles made provision for long distance traveling around the country, since bicycles were more cost effective and relatively fast. Recently, some cities in European countries and Montreal have come up with successful projects known as community bicycle programs or sharing bicycles.

These projects are a supplement to transport in the city and give an alternative to automobile. This reduces congestion and pollution. In countries like The Netherlands and parts of Germany and Denmark, using bicycles is a very preferred method. In Copenhagen, a riders’ organization manages a Cycling Embassy, that up holds biking for commuting and leisure. In the UK, a tax relief project encourages employees to buy tax-free bikes (Petrie 27). This is done to promote commuting using bikes.

Bicycles brought about the aspect of a new woman when they also started riding them. The biggest or most significant impact the bicycle made to the people is to improve their economy. Constructing a bike requires one to be apprenticed. These enhanced metalwork skills as well as create employment. The ones who make the bicycles are always on open season because there are many buyers in the market.

In the earlier days, it is through construction of the bikes that the people were able to make automobiles. Through transportations with the bicycles, many people did their business hence uplifting the living standards. There are a few disadvantages though. Bicycles can cause accidents and the rider or passenger may suffer serious injuries. Another limitation is they are not as fast as vehicles so it is tedious to use for long distance. They also carry fewer luggages as compared to vehicles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Petrie, Kristin. Bicycles. North Mankato, MN: ABDO Publishing Company, 2008. Print.

Petty, Kate. Bicycles. London, UK: Frances Lincoln Limited, 2006. Print