Bicycles

World-wide, the vehicle most commonly used for transportation is a utility bicycle. These have frames with so-called relaxed geometry, placing the rider further behind the pedals and with a greater curve or angle in the front forks. Both these factors reduce shocks from the road surface and make the bicycle easier to steer at low speeds.

The most popular types of bicycle in the western world, where cycling for recreation is more common, are mountain bikes and road bicycles. The latter tend to have a more upright shape and a shorter wheelbase, which make the bike more mobile but harder to ride slowly. The design, when coupled with low or dropped handlebars, requires the rider to bend forward more, which reduces air resistance as speeds increase.

The price of a new bicycle in the USA can range from US$50 (on sale) to more than US$23,000 , depending primarily on the quality, type and weight (the most exotic road bicycles can weigh as little as 3.55kg (7.8lb) . Being measured for a bike and taking it for a test ride are recommended before buying.

The drivetrain components of the bike should also be considered. A middle grade dérailleur is most likely sufficient for a beginner, although many utility bikes come equipped with hub gears. If the rider plans a significant amount of hill climbing, a triple-crank (three chainrings) front gear system may be preferred. Otherwise, the relatively lighter and less expensive double-crank (two chainrings) system may be a better selection. Many road bikes include clipless pedals to which special shoes attach via a cleat mechanism, permitting the rider to pull on the pedals as well as pushing them.

A variety of accessories may be purchased for the bicycle and the cyclist. These include locks, mudguards (UK)/fenders (US), luggage racks and pannier bags, water bottles and bottle cages. For basic maintenance and repairs, cyclists can choose to carry a pump, a spare inner tube, a CO2 cartridge, a puncture repair kit and tyre levers. Cycling can be more efficient and comfortable with special shoes, gloves, and shorts or pantleg clips. Riding in wet weather can be more tolerable with waterproof clothes, such as cape, jacket, trousers and overshoes. Items legally required in some jurisdictions, or voluntarily adopted for safety reasons, include bicycle helmets, generator or battery operated lighting, and audible signaling devices such as a bell or horn. Extras include studded tires and a bicycle computer

What to learn

Learning to ride efficiently and safely in traffic is important. Some cyclists act like pedestrians who just happen to be on wheels while some cyclists have learned to operate their pedal vehiclesvehicularly (i.e., by the rules of the road for vehicles). In the United Kingdom, many primary school children are given the opportunity to take the Cycling Proficiency Test, to help them travel more safely on the road. In countries such as the Netherlands, where cycling is popular, cyclists are sometimes ride on bike lanes at the side of orfrequently separate from the main highway. Many primary schools participate in the national road test in which children complete a circuit on roads near the school individually while being observed by testers.

Cyclists v Motorists

Cyclists and motorists make different demands on road design which may lead to conflicts both in politics and on the streets. Some jurisdictions give priority to motorised traffic, for example setting up extensive one-way street systems, free-right turns, high capacity roundabouts, and slip roads. Other cities may apply active traffic restraint measures to limit the impact of motorised transport. In the former cases, cycling has tended to decline while in the latter it has tended to be maintained. Occasionally, extreme measures against cycling may occur. In Shanghai, a city where bicycles were once the dominant mode of transportation, bicycle travel on city roads was actually banned temporarily in December 2003.

In areas in which cycling is popular and encouraged, cycle-parking facilities using bicycle racks, lockable mini-garages, and patrolled cycle parks are used to reduce theft. Local governments also promote cycling by permitting the carriage of bicycles on public transport or by providing external attachment devices on public transport vehicles. Conversely, an absence of secure cycle-parking is a recurring complaint by cyclists from cities with low modal share of cycling.