500+ Words Essay on Bicycle
Do you still remember the day when our parents brought us our bicycle for the first time? When they taught us the bicycle by holding it from behind, while we were struggling to learn the art of cycling and balancing; through all this, our bicycle was always with us.
There was a time when one used to impress their friends by riding the bicycle. But have we ever thought about the bicycle itself? Of how it was made and why does it matter in the current times of cars and bikes? Here, is the story of our own, Bicycle.
History of Bicycle
Bicycles were invented and developed in the 19th century. The first major development was made by a German baron, Karl von Drais. He invented a steerable, two-wheeled contraption in 1817.
Riders had to push off from the ground with their feet to move forward, and due to this invention Karl is known as the ‘Father of Bicycle’. The bicycle he invented didn’t have brakes, chain, or pedals, and it was also known as ‘Velocipede’, ‘Hobby – Horse’, ‘Draisine’ and ‘Running Machine’.
Further, across Europe, many developments and modifications were made in the design and working of Bicycle. At the beginning of 1860’s, French inventors Pierre Lallement, Pierre Michaux, and Ernest Michaux created Prototype including pedals attached with the front wheel and this was the first machine known as a ‘Bicycle’.
Due to its rough ride, it was also known as ‘Boneshaker’. During the 1870’s and 1880’s, the bicycle became popular in mainstream and people started racing on these bicycles. At the beginning of 1884, an Englishman named Thomas Steven rode this high wheeler bike on a journey of the world.
But due to its big front wheel, it was dangerous for riders to ride it. So in 1885, an Englishman john Kemp Starley designed a safety bicycle with equal-sized wheels, and a chain, and pedals attached to the front wheel, which became an example of the modern bicycle.
Importance of Bicycle
To be fit and healthy, you need to be physically active. And cycling is one of the best ways to exercise and be physically active. By being fit and healthy, you can be protected from harmful diseases like arthritis, obesity, diabetes, etc.
- Cycling can be enjoyed by every age group, from kids to old people as it is a low impact activity, so there are very fewer chances of injury.
- Cycling is a great exercise for building up strength, stamina, and aerobic fitness.
- Cycling can be started from low intensity, and it can also be taken up to high-intensity workout.
- It is very easy to learn cycling, and once you learn, you will never forget it. And due to its ease, old and kids can learn it quickly.
- Cycling trains every muscle group of your body as it requires pedalling. So, you can train almost every part of your body with low impact.
One of the most important benefits of a bicycle is that it is the most energy-efficient machine for transportation. It creates no pollution, so it is also good for the environment. It is the best mean of transportation for small and narrow streets. In India, we can use bicycles to get through small streets, narrow lanes, etc.
Bicycle and other means of transportation
Nowadays, people are getting more attracted to cars, bikes and other automobiles than bicycles. As other automobiles are faster than a bicycle, people tend to choose cars and bikes instead of Bicycle.
For today’s generation, a bicycle is way too slow than what they need as a vehicle, but, there are still people, who prefer bicycle over cars; because people connects their emotions with a bicycle, especially in India, as there are many small streets that can be explored only through bicycles.
As other advanced automobiles are very costly and also creates pollution, people who care for the environment think bicycle as a better option.
Bicycle and Society
From the time bicycles were invented until today, people have a very distinct connection with the bicycle. For example, a guy from India travelled from here to Sweden, just on his bicycle.
This man travelled almost 27,000 Kms on a bicycle, to meet his love in Sweden. So this is a kind of relation a person has with a bicycle that he can travel such a distance on a bicycle. This is possible because people can connect with a bicycle more than any other vehicle.
A bicycle was seen more as a necessity than a means of transportation in the early years of its invention, but now it is more seen as a means of transportation than necessity as there are many more options to choose from.
Despite there being various alternatives, a bicycle is still a dream of every child; Because this is where a kid learns an art, an art of balancing the bicycle and life itself!
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