Difference between revisions of "Bicycle"
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| − | + | A bicycle is a human-powered, two-wheeled conveyance that serves as a popular means of transportation in many nations, and a form of recreation virtually world-wide. | |
| − | + | The first recorded "two-wheeler" was the "draisine" designed in 18th century Germany by Baron Karl von Drais, possibly for use in traveling his estate to collect rents from his tenants. Decades later, Scottish blacksmith Kirkpatrick MacMillan added a pedal and chain drive mechanism to create the most credible prototype of the modern bicycle. Subsequent improvements included Englishman J.K. Starley's now-familiar diamond-shaped frame, Dunlop's pneumatic tire, multiple-gear options, and increasingly sophisticated brakes. The basic design of bicycles was relatively unchanged through the first half of the 20th century, but many subtypes of bicycles have subsequently evolved, including the [[racing bike]], [[road bike]] and [[mountain bike]], to suit the needs of specific cyclists. | |
| − | The bicycle has been called the most efficient means of transport yet devised | + | The bicycle has been called the most efficient means of transport yet devised, with over 90 percent of the cyclists energy effectively applied to turning the wheels |
Revision as of 17:29, April 4, 2007
A bicycle is a human-powered, two-wheeled conveyance that serves as a popular means of transportation in many nations, and a form of recreation virtually world-wide.
The first recorded "two-wheeler" was the "draisine" designed in 18th century Germany by Baron Karl von Drais, possibly for use in traveling his estate to collect rents from his tenants. Decades later, Scottish blacksmith Kirkpatrick MacMillan added a pedal and chain drive mechanism to create the most credible prototype of the modern bicycle. Subsequent improvements included Englishman J.K. Starley's now-familiar diamond-shaped frame, Dunlop's pneumatic tire, multiple-gear options, and increasingly sophisticated brakes. The basic design of bicycles was relatively unchanged through the first half of the 20th century, but many subtypes of bicycles have subsequently evolved, including the racing bike, road bike and mountain bike, to suit the needs of specific cyclists.
The bicycle has been called the most efficient means of transport yet devised, with over 90 percent of the cyclists energy effectively applied to turning the wheels