Bicycle Safety Tips

Avoid Busy Streets

Although bicyclists have the right of way, motorists aren't always used to watching out for you. Avoid this problem altogether by getting off those big streets and finding routes that go through neighborhoods and smaller streets. Try getting it down to only crossing busy streets, not traveling on them.

Light Up

Always use bicycle lights at night. They are one of the simplest, most inexpensive things to equip your bicycle with, so don't skimp on this one. Headlights AND rear lights are important to make sure cars notice you.

When Appropriate, Take Up the Whole Lane

Most times it is appropriate to take up a lane of traffic or ride farther in toward the middle. This way cars are more likely to notice you, and it prevents cars from passing near you too closely. In most states, it is legal to ride in the lane with traffic, and if you're worried about a line of cars building behind you, perhaps you should look for a less busy street.

Ride as if You Are Invisible

Don't try to be invisible, but if you ride as if you are invisible, you are more likely to catch mistakes from motorists because you are prepared for their reactions. Basically, you are riding in a way that stays out of their way and makes it irrelevant whether they see you or not.

—Compiled from Bicycle Safety

The History of Bicycles

An Abridged Timeline

Bicycles have a fairly varied history. They've been around for almost two hundred years now, and they have evolved significantly during that time. The first bicycles were built completely different and were not nearly as comfortable as now. In the below timeline, I have picked out what I thought to be the biggest, most interesting aspects of the bicycle's history to give you some idea of what they've been, so you can be properly amazed by what they are now.

• 1817—Draisienne or the "Running Machine": Invented by Barn Karl von Drais, Germany; This machine was less like a bicycle, in the modern sense of the word. It did have a typical bicycle frame and two wheels, but it was propelled by walking (apparently the bicycle allowed more of a gliding walk), as opposed to peddling.
• 1860s—Velocipede or Boneshaker: Two-wheeled bicycle with pedals and cranks on the front wheel. It was known as the bone shaker because the combination of a wood frame and metal tires made for a very uncomfortable ride over cobblestone streets.
• 1870s—High-wheeled bicycle: One of the first models to be called a "bicycle" (after its two wheels). The high wheel allowed the rider to travel farther with a single rotation of the pedals. Moreover, a metal frame and rubber tires provided a more comfortable ride than the boneshaker.
• 1885—Rover Safety bicycle: Invented by John Kemp Starely, England; Featured a strong enough metal to make a chain, plus it had two same-sized wheels and a similar frame to today’s bicycles.
• 1888—Pnuematic tires: Invented by John Boyd Dunlop, Ireland; Develops air-filled tires that provide a smoother ride than the previously used hard-rubber tires.
• 1920s—Kid's bicycles become popular.
• 1940s—Built-in kickstands developed.
• 1960s—Racing bicycles become popular and feature dropped handlebars, narrow tires, numerous speeds and a lighter frame.
• 1980—Spurred by mountain biking and extreme sports, mountain bicycles become a popular consumer item and feature sturdier frames, larger wheels and flat handlebars.
• 1996—Mountain bicycles appear in the Olympics.

• Bicycles|
• History|
• Wheels|
• Gears and Brakes

Copyright © 2008; Mary Mancone