Cycling is a mode of transportation and a form of recreation and sport. It is great form of exercise. Some regions across the world give cycling a great deal of importance. In Europe, for instance, various international bodies such as the Union Cycliste Internationale in Switzerland and the International Human Powered Vehicle Association govern bicycle racing. In fact, events like the four-day Fietsvierdaagse in Netherlands are tributes by the Dutch to cycling as a sport. In the 1890s, bicycle racing became popular across Europe, the US and Japan. The Tour de France started in 1903 and is still a major cycling event.
People all over the world use bicycles as a mode of transportation. Transport and tour cycling is supported by the European Cyclist’s Federation. The Netherlands is particularly good for providing special lanes for cyclists on the side of the main road, and city councils across Europe encourage cycling as an urban mode of transport. For reasons of safety, some countries insist on cyclists wearing helmets, and installing light reflectors and bells.
The British Royal Mail first used bicycles commercially in 1880. Not surprisingly, bicycles found extensive use during the World Wars. In fact, Switzerland was known to maintain a regiment of bicycle troops which was decommissioned only in 2003. In recent years, bicycle delivery fleets have become popular in countries like Sweden, Germany and the UK. Bicycles are used for delivering newspapers, documents and small parcels quickly and cheaply. Cycling also offers several health benefits. It is a good form of exercise for people suffering from arthritis and for those with weak knee joints. It is also used in physiotherapy programmes in some hospitals.
There are various kinds of bicycles available today and, of these, utility bikes are a common mode of transport in many countries. Most of these utility bikes come with hub gears and are suitable for various kinds of terrains. Road bicycles with upright frames and a shorter wheel base are designed to be faster than utility bicycles. Many cyclists use bicycle accessories such as locks, fenders and carriers while some use clipless pedals and special shoes. Clipless pedals are attached to the bike and help the cyclist peddle the bike more easily.
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