
Imran Malik wrote:
Electric Bicycles are becoming amazingly popular because of its cost effective (as we are watching the fuel prices increasing amazingly day by day), free from pollution, fast in speed and easy to use as compare with standard bicycles. The electrical bicycles consist an electric motor, battery and a controller for regulate and activate the power.
Electric bikes are coming in so many styles as regular bikes, like different frame sizes, riding styles, components, and different number of speeds. The motors speed ranges between 200W to 700W depending how much usage of electric bike you need. The battery is required for an electric bike generally have three types including lead acid, nickel metal hydride and lithium ion battery.
The controllers are basic part of every electric bike because its control the electric power which the bike is required. The controllers also come in variety of styles and shapes all are located on handlebar to make easy drive through electric bike. The main two controllers’ styles are very famous, throttle based controller and pedal activated controllers. The throttle based controllers also have further two types a twist grip or thumb press type, both work with simple throttle mechanism, simply press the throttle to get the electric assistance. It’s allowed you to ride without pedaling the bike. The pedal activated controllers or systems means to press down the pedals to receive electric assistance, and these systems have controller mounted on handlebar that adjusted the level of required assistance as you pedal.
Electric bicycles are easy to ride, use and maintain as they required minimum maintenance, before making any decision to buy an electric bicycle you should to consider some important things in your mind like the electric bike you want to boy is for recreation or for commuting? Is the electric bike for long distance traveling, would you prefer pedal or ride through throttle etc these are some important things to help you to find best suitable electric bicycle for your riding.
For more details visit:
http://www.transportdirectory.net/electric-bicycle.html
Automotive

A.Caxton wrote:
Bicycle is one of the oldest vehicles used by man. It consists of a light casing built over two wheels (one following the other, with each of them being pierced with wire), a seat, handlebars (which are counterpart of steering wheel), brakes, and a couple of pedals or a small motor to propel the bicycle. To know and learn about a bicycle, one needs to understand the basic bicycle parts as they work in combination -
Brake - They are used to speed down the bicycle. They can be controlled by brake levers that are mounted on the handlebars (as is the case with disc brakes and rim brakes) or they can be functioned by backward pedaling (as is the case with coaster brakes).
Handlebar - This is the part where a rider places his hands to provide balance to the bike. It can be straight, cylindrical or curved. It has a handle at each end, each of which is fitted with grips to provide firm hold of the bar. It also helps in steering the bike by providing the necessary leverage. Latest handlebars also enable the biker to change body stance during a long ride.
Chain - It provides the propelling action in the bike by transferring power from the pedals to the wheels. Chains have increased biker safety by allowing the manufacturers to cut down on the wheel size. Recently, breakthroughs have been made to have chains that could provide gearing mechanism to the bikes. In order to achieve good speed, one needs to lubricate bicycle chain from time to time, or else they get rusted.
Wheel - Bicycles ride on wheels. The wheel pair consists of an outer rim that is connected to the central focal point using spokes. A nut is used to tighten the spokes at both ends.
Tire - It covers the outer circumference of the bicycle wheel and is inflated with air. Because of its shape (usually circular) and air filled inside, it allows the bike to sail. Right amount of air needs to be filled inside the tire so that it provides optimum friction to the ground, thereby transmitting maximum speed from the pedal to the wheel.
In order to buy and maintain a good bicycle, a person needs to understand what each bicycle part does. Although they might seem trivial when seen separately, but when running in combination, they produce a thrill and experience, one cannot afford to miss.
Business

Peter Kent wrote:
Annually, about half a million bicycle related injuries occur. In addition, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a bicyclist is killed approximately every six hours. However, most bicycle crashes are predictable and preventable by using proper precautions on the part of both the bicyclists and motorists.
Types of Bicycle Crashes
Falls and Collisions
Over 50 percent of bike crashes are the result of falls. Falls commonly occur either when the front wheel suddenly stops moving or when the rear wheel slides out. The front wheel can stop if it falls into a road defect, such as a crack or drain grate, or if the front brakes are applied very hard. Rear wheels can skid out when turning on gravel, sand, ice, metal surfaces, or any slippery surface.
After falls, the most frequent type of bike accidents are collisions with a stationary object, such as trees. Falls and collisions with fixed objects account for about 75 to 80 percent of all bicycle crashes.
Car-Bicycle Crashes
Car-bike crashes account for between about ten to 15 percent of bicycle accidents but result in the largest number of fatalities. Most of these accidents occur when either the bicyclist or the motorist is turning or crossing at an intersection or driveway. Other types of bike-car crashes can come about if the bicyclists is not stopping at red lights, riding on the wrong side of the street, or not following the traffic laws.
Bicycle Crash Injuries
Injuries from bicycle crashes are most often to the limbs, and include fractures, abrasions, and lacerations. Fractures account for about 25 percent of bike crash injuries, and facial injuries account for about one third of injuries. The most disabling and serious injuries are brain injuries. These are so severe because they can result in a permanent defect or disability. Head injuries are also more likely to be fatal.
What To Do When In a Bike-Car Crash
To the extent possible and practical to avoid further accidents or injuries after a bicycle crash, do the following:
*Keep completely still if you may be severely injured. Wait for medical help.
* Accept medical help, even if you do not feel severely injured.
* Wait for the police so an accident report can be filed with statements from witnesses, and the at-fault driver, and the crash scene investigated.
* Leave damaged property and equipment as it was until police arrive.
* Contact a personal injury lawyer who understands bicycling.
Bicycle Safety and Crash Prevention
Not surprisingly, helmets can protect again head injuries - both brain injuries and upper facial injuries. Statistics have shown that of the 75 percent of bike riders who got severe brain injury in an accident were not wearing helmets. To provide proper protection, helmets must be fitted correctly.
Although helmets can protect against head injury, they do not protect from getting hit by cars! To help prevent personal injury, bicyclists must use common sense and remain alert when cycling on roads to avoid crashes with cars. Although drivers should be more attentive to the presence of bicyclists, the odds of injury favor the bicyclist. This is why it is so important to follow some basic common sense prevention guidelines which include:
* Follow the law - ride on the right side of road; stop at stop signs and red lights; use a headlight at night (also beneficial in the day).
* Avoid stopping in the blind spot of a car at a red light. You can be hit if it turns right and you go straight.
* Use a bell or horn to signal or alert drivers of your presence.
*Use a rear light and headlight, especially when it is dark outside.
* Use a mirror to glance at traffic behind, especially when approaching intersections.
* Be attentive and alert to the cars. Watch for left turning cars crossing in front that may not see you, and pay attention to parked cars for which a door may open.
*Do not ride very fast in case you need to stop abruptly.
* Avoid riding on sidewalks.
* Avoid busy streets, especially as a novice rider.
If you have been injured in a bike crash, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact an experienced bike accident attorney for more information on a potential bike injury claim.
Fitness

James Sanford wrote:
Today’s modern bicycles are a far cry from our earliest attempts at pedal power. In fact, what many regard as the birth of the bicycle had no pedals at all. It was more of a wooden hobby horse on wheels that the rider would straddle and push the machine along with his legs. While it had no pedals, it did at least have steering. It was known as the ‘running machine’. Compared with today’s range of bikes, it doesn’t sound much fun really!
Later, another wooden beast would hit the fashionable cobblestone streets of Europe – the Boneshaker. The appropriately named Boneshaker had pedals, and was entirely made of wood, apart from the hard, metal wheels. Thankfully, for the well-to-do riding public of Europe, the Boneshaker would soon be superseded during the 1870s by the far more comfortable, but far more dangerous, Penny Farthing.
The Penny Farthing was easily distinguishable from all bicycles that came before it by its huge front wheel and small rear wheel. It also, for the first time, offered the relative comfort of hard rubber tires. The size of the front wheel was so large because the larger the wheel, the more efficient the pedalling. While this allowed the well-heeled to hurtle recklessly at speed about the streets, it was also the cause of many serious injuries. All that was needed was for a stick to jam in the front wheel or a dog to run across the bicycle’s path and the hapless rider would be propelled over the handlebars and onto the hard ground below, usually on his head. Helmets were not a necessary accessory in those days!
For the ladies of the day, riding a Penny Farthing would just not do, so an adult version of the tricycle was invented in order for proper ladies to enjoy the pleasures of riding through the parks and gardens without compromising their good reputations.
Later, the Safety Bicycle was introduced. This was a redesigned version of the Penny Farthing that placed the huge front wheel at the back of the bike and the small rear wheel in the front. This new design considerably reduced the risk of being flung over the handlebars like a rag doll and ending up with a severe concussion or permanent brain damage.
By the 1880s, the bicycle was going through further changes. The pneumatic tire, the use of ball bearings and the spring seat made riding a much more comfortable affair. It was during this time also that more practical designs incorporating two wheels of equal size were introduced, making riding a far safer and enjoyable experience. The bicycle was fast evolving into the modern machines we enjoy today.
It was during the later part of the 20th century however that the bicycle really started to develop. In 1963 for example, Schwinn introduced a radical new bike called the Sting-Ray. The Sting-Ray borrowed much of its design features from the easyrider motorcycles and included high-rise handlebars, a comfy banana seat and a stick-shift. The Schwinn Sting-Ray allowed its young riders to become far more adventurous in their riding and it wasn’t long before wheelies, jumps and other tricks were being performed. The Schwinn Sting-Ray would soon lead to the development of the BMX and the rest, as they say, is history!
Sports And Fitness

Muna wa Wanjiru wrote:
As cycling is a very demanding sport, the intense muscle activity triggers a high degree of sweating; the major concern here would be how to keep this moisture away from the body. And this is actually the part when a quality bicycle jersey makes the difference due to the capacity to evaporate moisture in a short period of time, while also keeping it away from the skin. How can one know which bicycle jersey to choose? The price is usually the first indicator of the features of a specific product: the higher the price, the more likely the technology used in its manufacturing is a very advanced one.
Usually, a bicycle jersey designed under a brand name is far more reliable that a no-name one; yet you can be sure you'll pay the price for it. We would be unjust not to mention the fact that there are products worth buying, even if they aren't too expensive: how can you tell the quality of such a bicycle jersey? First of all, don't buy anything that is made of cotton or regular plastic fiber; the only acceptable modern material are those that enable thermal regulation. They include a revolutionary kind of fabric that allows the moisture circulation in a unique way: outwards.
Furthermore, a good bicycle jersey should be aerodynamic in design and cut so that the cyclist can move unhindered. Most such cycling clothes have zippers, properly positioned so that ventilation is within the close control of the biker, not to mention that some have even pockets for various ride essentials. A polyester bicycle jersey with a special weave can absorb as much sweat as cotton t-shirt would do, but without trapping it in the fabric. Sweat is dispersed quickly on the entire surfaced of the outfit enabling a correct evaporation.
Last but not least, you should definitely buy a bicycle jersey that is machine washable, otherwise, it is pretty difficult to use it. Besides the cut, the zippers and the pockets, there is one more detail anyone should pay attention to: the collar band and how comfortable it feels around the neck. Most clothing items used for cycling follow a classical line with stand-up neck bands, however, try the bicycle jersey on to make sure it suits you, since comfort is a key condition for successful and pleasant cycling. After all, during the cold season, a good bicycle jersey keeps the wind and moisture away, preserving the easiness of the movements.
Motorcycles

Dennis wrote:
It is sometimes very hard to drive your car to the nearby market place and hunt for a parking space to get a small thing like a milk bottle or say a bread packet. Instead, you or your son/daughter could go by the electric bicycle and get such thing and come back within less than the time it would take you to return home by your car. The electric bicycle can be used for local errands instead of using your car for which. Some people even use electric bicycle to go to work and the students enjoying riding to the college, to the tennis court. You and your children can even go for a joy ride around town or parks.
An electric bicycle can really do most of your trips as well as or even faster than your car. If you calculate the cost of the fuel and time you spend doing small errands on daily basis, except going on long drive for a picnic during the week-ends, you will surely come to the conclusion that the electric bicycles are cheaper, convenient, reliable and faster than your car because the electric bicycles requires less space to store and can pass through between two parallel cars during the traffic jams. Moreover it runs on a battery which has to be charged after about 60-70 kms. You may get a used car for $500 to $1000, but then your would need regular check-up, oil changing and regular service. Whereas the electric bicycles would cost you for less than the six months amount you spend on the maintenance of your car. There is either no or very less maintenance cost of $5 worth of electricity a year for the electric bicycle.
Electric bicycles are the best options for your car, bus or train ride for all those shorter distance commutes. Normally an electric bicycles travel at around 25-30 kmph which is much better than walking and traveling by car in bumper to bumper moving traffic. The electric bicycles are now available worldwide through the internet. You can visit the website www.bernsonev.com where you can find the details of electric bicycles. Also you can check various designs, styles and colours and buy one from Bernsonev E.V. remaining at home and get the home delivery of the electric bicycle.
Motorcycles

Gregg Hall wrote:
A bicycle is your ticket to exercise, freedom, and fun. If you spend any amount of time riding a bike, you know just how important those two wheels can be. Your bike is a valuable part of your life. Treat your bike with care so that it lasts for many years to come. Normal wear and tear occurs on every bike. This is especially true in regards to your tires.
How do you know if you need to replace a bicycle tire? Frequently check your bike for signs of trouble. Assessing any issues with your bike quickly will ensure that the problem can be resolved before it gets worse, or becomes unsafe for the rider. Closely take a look at your tires. Do you denote any cracks or cuts in the tire. A small knick may not be anything to worry about, but it is something to keep an eye on for safety's sake. When your tires begin to show significant signs of wear and tear, it is time to purchase new tires. If you can see the cords of your tires, it is time to replace them immediately.
It is not uncommon to replace a single bike tire. Uneven wear on one tire more than another can lead to this situation. Another reason to replace only one bike tire may be due to a puncture. If you have accidentally run over a nail or other sharp object, it is possible to only need to purchase a single new tire at this time.
What if your bike keeps going flat? If your bicycle tire won't hold air, check for any holes in the tire. You may have punctured through the tire and into the tube resulting in a flat. If the tire looks fine, you simply may need to buy a new inner tube for your bike.
To determine whether you need a tube and a tire, or new inner tube only, you will need to take a serious look at the inside of the bicycle tire. If the inside of the tire looks fine, showing no signs of a puncture or rough area, then you will only need to invest in an inner tube.
Purchasing new bike tires can be confusing, but it doesn't have to be. When buying new tires for a bicycle, you need to know the size of the old tire. This information can be found on the side wall of the old tire.
Also, you will want to select a bike tire that is appropriate for your recreational or professional activity. Knobby tires, for example, are better suited to off road travel on rough terrain. The thin, skinny tires work well for road cycling. Finding the right size and style of tire is key to safety and comfort on your bike.
When it comes to filling your tires with air, it is important to use a tire gauge specifically suited to test pressure in bike tires. Air pressure will vary based on a number of factors. Monitor your bike tires regularly to make certain your bicycle tires aware carrying the right pressure. The proper minimum and maximum pressure amounts should be clearly marked on the tire.
Your bike tires will last for a long time with proper care and maintenance. Safety and comfort improve with proper tires for your bike. Enjoy the freedom and fun your bike gives you by taking care of your ride.
Sports And Fitness

Roberto Sedycias wrote:
A bicycle or just cycle is a human-powered vehicle driven by pedals. It has two wheels which are attached to a metal or in some cases hard plastic frame, one at the front and the other at the back.
History of a bicycle
The bicycle was first introduced in Europe in the 19th century. Presently their number is exceeding one billion throughout the world. They are used as a principal mode of transportation in some areas of the world, especially Netherlands and China. They have also developed as a very popular form of entertainment and recreation. Other fields of human activities that they have been adopted are adult fitness, children`s toys, police and military applications, cycle sports and courier services. Thus over the period of time the humble bicycle has assumed quite a few roles!
The basic configuration and shape of a common bicycle has been altered very slightly since the first model driven by chains was developed back in 1885. However, some subtle details have been made better with the growing use of computer and improvement in material technology. Using modern technologies have made it possible to produce specialized designs for different kinds and uses of cycling.
Parts and Construction of a Typical Bicycle
Wheels - it is the most important part of any vehicle. The initial wheels used a wooden hub with a steel axle, spokes made of wood and an iron tire which is fitted on the outside. The wheels used today have a metal hub, metallic wire spokes, a metal rim to hold the spokes and a pneumatic rubber tire on the outside. Another important part of the wheel are the bearings which allows free movement of the hub on the axle.
Frame - most of the bicycles used today has the diamond frame. It`s made up of two triangles, the front and the rear. The front triangle has the top tube, head tube, seat tube and down tube. Head tube is the part containing the headset of bearing to allow smooth steering, the top tube connects to the seat, and the down tube connects the head tube and bottom bracket. The rear triangle has the seat tube, seat stays and paired chain stays.
Drivetrain - it consists of the pedals, which rotates the crank arms, which in turn are attached to a sprocket or chainrings which drives the chain and makes the rear wheel rotate.
Seating and Steering - steering is made possible using the handlebars which turns the front wheel. For seating there are saddles on the top of the frame. The seating can be designed for comfort or to make cycling smoother and faster.
Brakes - the brakes used in modern bicycles are either rim brakes that uses pads to compress the wheel from 2 sides and stopping it, internal hub brakes that has the pads inside the hubs or disc brakes. Braking in bicycles is hand-operated by pressing the brake levers installed on the handlebars on either side.
Suspension - it is the system incorporated to make the cycling experience smoother.
Accessories - parts like mudguards to avoid spray from puddles, chain guards to save clothes from oils, kick stands to keep the bicycle upright while parked have become permanent features of a bicycle. Other accessories like front baskets, rear racks, space for head lamp, a pump, helmets, tool kit etc are also available as per ordered.
The use and development of bicycles have affected mankind in a bigger way than it seems. It has affected history in both industrial and cultural realms. In the initial years, bicycles and its construction were dependent on the technology that existed; more recently, its technology in turn has given forth ideas in different areas.
Sports And Fitness

A.Caxton wrote:
The article refers to the different contents of the bicycle wheels. It tries to explain the role that these important parts play in the smooth running of the wheels.
There is no better way to spend a weekend than to go on a leisurely ride on a bicycle on a quiet track in the woods. Bicycles have an old world charm about them and even in this fast-paced world has its own prominent place. Of all the parts of the bicycle, it is the bicycle wheels which are the most important ones. Bicycle wheels are the ones which carry the entire burden on them and thus need to be very carefully observed.
Types of Tires
Almost 99% of the bicycles have the clincher kind of tires. The clincher tires consist of an outer tire with a cross section which has a typical U - shape while there is another inner tube within the tire. Apart from these parts there are three key parts which create the tire. The first part is the Bead which is basically the rim of the tire. Normally, the beads contain hoops which are made up of steel wires which are very strong. The second very important part is the fabric. Tire manufacturers weave this cloth fabric between two beads to make the basic framework of the tire. The third major portion is the rubber. Rubber is used as an outer layer to the fabric. Rubber is used only after the basic framework is complete.
Apart from the clinchers, the bicycles also have wheels which are known as tubular tires. Unlike the clinchers, the tubular tires do not have any beads. In the tubular tires, the two rims of the tires are actually stitched together around the inner tube.
Other Tire Aspects
Bicycle tires have a part called traction. This traction is basically the resistance capacity of the tires which avoid skidding or slipping. Another very important aspect of bicycle wheels is the width and pressure of the bicycle wheels. The width and pressure of the wheels are inversely proportional. This implies that if the width of the wheel is greater then it has a low pressure and if the width is not very wide then it has a high pressure. Also generally, the wheels are made up of two basic types of rubber, namely natural latex rubber and butyl.
There are several other points apart form the features mentioned above. However, these are the most important features which make up the basic framework of the wheels of the bicycle and without which the wheels cannot work.
Business

Bill Wallmuller wrote:
Many bike speed records have been broken by recumbent bikes. Recumbent bicycles were banned from international racing in the year 1934 and they hadn't seen widespread use until toward the end 20th century.
A recumbent bicycle is a kind of bicycle which places the rider in a seated or supine position and rarely, in a prone position.
Recumbent bikers hold many world speed records for human powered, non-paced types of races. Interestingly, tricycles actually fall into the recumbent bike category and for whatever reason are generally accepted into the main 'upright bike' category.
Recumbent bikes are typically classified further by the size of their wheelbase. There are long wheelbase recumbent bikes (LWB), short wheelbase (SWB) recumbent bikes, and (CLWB) compact long wheelbase recumbent bikes.
Each of these types of recumbent bikes also have somewhat different positioning of the pedals and wheels as compared to the seat. With long wheelbase recumbent bikes the pedals are located in between the seat and the front wheel.
Compact wheelbase recumbent bikes have their pedals either above the front wheel or very close to it. And short wheelbase recumbent bicycles have their pedals in front of the front wheel.
Recumbent bikes have several advantages over upright or traditional bikes. Some of these differences are described below:
Health
Recumbent bikes encourage a posture that reduces strain on the body. This makes them great for longer trips. When a bike is comfortable for long periods of time it makes sense that we're likely to bike farther, right?
A big plus is lower body circulation too. In a recumbent bike our legs are positioned at nearly the same height as our hearts, thus reducing hydrostatic pressure and the heart's job of circulating blood through those areas.
Stability
Recumbent bikes are much more stable for obvious reasons: with some there are more wheels! Also, recumbent bikes are situated closer to the ground.
Variety
When choosing a recumbent bicycle, riders have many more varieties to choose from than with traditional upright bikes. There are all kinds of variations and degrees of uprightness from which to choose.
There are some disadvantages as well. For one, recumbent bikes don't allow riders to change positions, such as standing on an upright bike while going down a hill. And you'll have to boost a whole new set of muscles. Recumbent bicycles use different muscle groups to power the bike than do upright bicycles.
Unlike upright bikes, there is a subculture of recumbent builders who design and build home-built recumbent bicycles. Many times these are assembled of parts from other bicycles, particularly mountain bikes. The frame designs may be as simple as a long steel tube bent into the appropriate shape to hand-built carbon fiber frames. For a good many builders, the engineering of the bikes is as much of a challenge and fun as riding them.
Sports And Fitness