Riding a bicycle is an accomplishment that a large number of us can claim in the 20th Century. In some countries, it is a matter of efficient transportation. In the Western world, it is a combination of recreation and transportation. As a youngster, there is no feeling quite so liberating as the day the training wheels can be removed from a bike. The open road calls, the distance between points shrink -- in fact, our perception of life changes and a secret door is opened, revealing a new world around us to seek out and discover. The first bicycles were contemplated in China over 1,000 years ago, but for some reason no one ever got around to building one. Leonardo DaVinci drew plans for a bicycle in the 15th Century. It was not until the 19th Century, in the year 1863, that a French mechanic (while repairing a hobby horse) decided to put pedals on the front wheel. The suggestion came from his son who got the idea from looking at a grindstone. Thus the velocipede was born. In 1871, an improvement was made to the velocipede, increasing the size of the front wheel. This contraption was called a "Pennyfarthing" and became the rage across Europe and America, with numerous Pennyfarthing races being held every weekend. Further developments in the 1880's led to the double diamond frame and the chain and gear model which is the basic design for all bikes today. Today, with the popularity of mountain bikes, road bikes and hundreds of millions of bike riders, the bicycle is one of the most healthy, efficient and environmental choices for transportation. Some states, such as Oregon, require bike paths on all state funded road projects. Lo and behold, Oregon has one of the highest per capita percentages of bike ridership in the country. For more information on biking, legislation and issues concerning bicyclists, go to http://www.massbike.org/bikelaw/, which provides a great state-by-state listing.   | Home | Cultural | Environmental | Musical | Ordinary | | Contact Us | About the Authors | © Copyright 2007 fiftythings