Esssential Tips in Bicycle Safety

There has been a growing movement to go green, to reduce our carbon foot print, and many people are willing to put in a little more effort by using an alternative vehicle. Yes, a bicycle is a vehicle, although some still regard it as a leisure toy. When you refit your own bike with a bicycle motor kit, bicycle conversion kit, or buy a new electric bike you have a very effective, and inexpensive form of transportation that can get you almost anywhere at up to 20 + miles an hour. At a cost of just pennies a day many people are seeing how cost effective this is to filling up a metal beast with

gas that comes from countries that are not our friendliest allies.

Going Green With An Electric Bicycle

Going green can be pretty simple in many ways, and riding a bicycle is just one simple way to start it. Electric bicycles have really taken off not just in the US but globally as well. Millions of people around the world ride bikes as their primary form of transportation. In the US, this can be more difficult to ride a bike unless you live in highly urbanized city as distances to get to your desired location can be expansive, and for the most part cars can get you their faster. However with an electric bike, you can be cruising to your destination at a rapid rate, get some physical exercise as well depending on how much you want to pedal, and save money on car insurance, gas, and car repairs too.

Remember as a child your parents put you on a bike, strapped on a bike helmet, told you to look out for cars, and be home for dinner at five. Those good ole days may be far from your memory if you are just getting reacquainted with cycling, so here are just a few reminders of other basic bike laws that need to be followed to keep you safe on the road. This is especially true if you are going to be riding an electric bicycle.

Cycling Safety Tips

If you decide to refit your own bicycle with a bicycle motor kit, bicycle conversion kit, or buy a new electric bicycle than there are a few essential motorized bicycle safety tips :

1. Helmet: Always Wear a Correctly Fitted Bicycle Helmet

2. Adjust the Seat & Handle Bars: A bicycle should fit your own personal measurements, and you should adjust your seat and handle bars accordingly. Hold up your bike and stand over your bike. Measure 1 to 2 inches between you and the top tube (bar) if using a road bike, and 3 to 4 inches if you have a mountain bike. Adjust the seat height to allow a slight bend of your knee when your leg is fully extended. Adjust the handlebar height to the same level as the seat.

3. Equipment Check: Before every ride it is very important to check your brakes, tire inflation, battery condition, that your bike has reflective tape or markings, and lights if you will be riding at night.

4. Clothing: Clothing is very important if you are using a bike to commute to work, or in busy traffic. You want to be clearly visible. Always put on something that reflects light especially at night. Wearing a bright colored vest in the day time may not seem the most fashion forward choice, but just because you see a car it does not mean that the car can see you as well.

5. Storage: If you use your motorized bicycle frequently for work, or errands you are going to need storage. This can consist of a backpack, basket or strap on storage. Never try and carry or ride your motorized bike with one hand, or carrying items. This type of bike goes very fast when engaged and can cause you or others serious injury. Always strap down, or contain any items you are carrying, and keep both hands on the handle bars! Staying in control of your bike is very important for your safety and the safety of others.

6. Road Hazards: Even riding a bike at a normal rate of speed can be dangerous, but when you strap a motor on a bicycle it doubles or triples your chance of injury if are not diligent in watching for road hazards. Road hazards can include- road debris, potholes, gravel, uneven riding surfaces, construction areas, animals, pedestrians, cars, bikes, motorcycles, or talking while riding with others. Remember just because you are riding a bike does not mean you can ignore traffic lights, or traffic signs designed for motorized vehicles.

Riding an electric bike or your own bike your with an electric bicycle motors kits calls for you to be more aware, and use good judgment. Any bike can be a wonderful way to get to work, the grocery store, your neighborhood, and almost anywhere else you might want to go. It is a great experience riding your motorized bike traveling with the wind in your hair, and getting to places faster and easier than ever before. Life is a journey, and an electric bicycle just makes it more fun!

Created by : Denise Newman

Wonderful Benefits of Riding Tandem Bike

Tandem Bikes are two-seater bicycles, and although not as common, tandems are also available in a three-seater as well.

With a tandem bike, each rider works equally to propel the bike, as one long chair runs through both sets of pedals to drive the rear wheel.

Here are the three most common reasons that a cyclist or cyclists chose to ride a tandem bike over a solo bike:

1. Couples that enjoy riding together but who have different levels of strength and stamina chose a tandem bike because it forces compromise in riding speeds and allows them to always be together or to keep up with the group.

2. A person with a disability who cannot ride a bike on their own would get all the benefits of cycling that they could not experience on their own. By riding with another cyclist who can take the lead and perhaps make any riding decisions, it also builds a relationship of trust and is a wonderful experience for the lead cyclist as well.

3. Young children of cyclists are not usually capable of keeping up with the adult and/or are not mature or experienced enough to handle traffic or road limitations. By riding a tandem the child gets the full benefit of cycling as well as learn the benefits of family activities.

The feel of riding on a tandem is different than riding solo. A tandem bike is considerably heavier, and has a much longer wheel base, therefore; practicing with your tandem partner on a quiet street or in a parking lot is highly suggested. Because of the size and weight of the bike, the cyclists need to practice stopping and also swinging wider around turns.

Also, tandems are considerably longer than a regular bike, so you won't be able to carry one on your car using a standard rear-mount or roof rack. With a tandem bike, you will probably need to buy a carrier as well.

Many of the tandem bikes available are in the range of $1500 or more. If this tandem bike is going to be the main bike for adults and they ride quite often year after year, it is important to ask questions and get a bike that handles heavier adults and heavy-duty cycling. This even applies to purchasing any single-use bicycle for any serious cyclists.

However, if used as a family cycle or with young children, there are many well-made tandem bikes or "cruiser" type tandems that are relatively inexpensive and are equally safe and comfortable as the more expensive versions.

Riding a tandem bike with a friend, mate or children is a wonderful bonding experience. You can visit parks and parts of your neighborhood and actually discuss what you see as you are riding. It can be a great learning experience for all the riders while gaining the emotional and physical benefits of cycling. With a little bit of practice, riding tandem can be mastered and open up a new world of cycling for many that would prefer the company or are not capable of riding alone.

Tips On Buying A Recumbent Exercise Bike

Recumbent bikes are increasing in popularity as more people understand they're more at ease and a lot less dangerous than a vertical bicycle, but a majority of people still get baffled when it's time to purchasing one for their personal properties. Whilst stationary bikes used to be just about the identical, there are now a variety of brands and models competing heatedly for consumers. Before you spend your time and money creating this small investment, think about just a couple tips about purchasing a recumbent fitness bike.

The first step you'll want to perform would be to test ride many stationary bikes. There's a lot than it for sale in the malls as well as on on-line. It is important that you're comfy through the workout routines. It is best to check up on the pedal initial as well as the handlebar position. The peak, leg and arms are one of the important aspect that you need to contemplate when buying the apparatus.

Recumbent fixed bike that can be ride comfortably depends upon the back relaxation, leg position and also on the seat. Should you take into account acquiring recumbent bicycle it's always best to sit on different recumbent bikes to evaluate which includes the most effective chair that will give you comfort. The very best sitting position within the recumbent bike is extending the thighs with slight bend as well as feet ought to relaxation fully around the pedals. It should have enough configurations that will enable for this placement. Recumbent bike can be utilized by one who offers longer leg or smaller leg because it could be moved backward and forward. Check on the actual handle to ensure that the seat is simple to adjust.

Built-In Workout routines - When you get bored stiff easily or perhaps like to problem yourself, having built-in workouts is important. Plenty of applications is obviously better in this area. You may get applications that are heart rate managed (meaning the bike adjusts the potential to deal with keep your heartrate in the preferred range) or resistance managed.

One other thing contemplate in choosing involving the two can be your private purpose. A person within working out for a long range road race just like a 5K or half marathon will require the actual treadmill to use upon days weather does not let them operate outside. Other people within working out for athletic events such as the cross-training the recumbent stationary bike gives. A few older folks whose major purpose is only a very good cardiovascular workout will like the offer the recumbent bike provides their own back and fewer stress on shoulder blades, neck and arms. Other people similar to the use of strolling or jogging.

Direct tension is accomplished by means of a buckle and requires manual adjustment. This sort of opposition is located only on the cheaper models. Air resistance is found primarily upon mid-range models. Generally, the actual faster you your pedal the more air that is sucked right into a fan at the front end from the bike, which acts against your pedaling; hence you receive a resistance when you pedal. The primary advantage with this type of opposition is it is mains-free; there's no need in order to plug your bike in to a socket to operate it.

Lastly, we determine that the successful exercise programs only result if you purchase a good thing to your daily schedule, spending budget, room, model, plus a dedication to your plan. You will be thankful should you, as well as unhappy if you make the purchase without having considering meticulously. The choice to buy a pre-owned fitness bike is finally based on you.

Hybrid Bicycles

A hybrid is exactly what it sounds like – a mix of both a road bike and a mountain bike. The result is a bicycle that's suitable for general-purpose riding over various types of terrain, which is why most hybrids tend to be used for community.

Hybird usually have a flat handlebar, as found on a mountain bike, rather than the drop bar you'd find on a road bicycle. This means shifting and braking components are often very similar to mountain biking units, instead of being STI-style integrated brake and shift levers as you'll find on nearly all road bikes.

This allows for a more upright riding position – not as much outright speed but a position that many will find more comfortable, and potentially safer, in traffic. Hybrid bikes also tend to use larger volume tyres than road bikes, offering more comfort than narrower road rubber.

Some hybrids are closer to mountain bikes than road machines, and others fall closer to the tarmac side of things.Wheel size is usually a good indicator, hybrids using a 26in format commonly found on mountain bikes tend to be more off-road biased. Bikes with 700c road style wheels are usually less ideal for off-road use. 

Braking can vary from model to model, but V-brakes are very common nowadays, as are mechanical and hydraulic disc systems. Hybrids usually offer versatile gearing; triple chainsets and wide-ranging cassettes are typical. There are exceptions, though – hybrids can sometimes get hub gears for near-maintenance-free mile-munching, while singlespeed models are also available if simplicity is your thing.

Some hybrids come with full mudguards, and even pannier racks, while most are made with the eyelets and clearances required to retrofit such items.

Electric Bicycle

An electric bicycle is one that is driven with the power of an electric motor. These electric bikes are also called motorized bikes. These bikes come integrated with combustion engines or small electric motors. These electric motors ensure that the rider does not have to continue pedaling to ride the bike. Electric bicycles can be considered one of the most flexible means of transport. You can either ride the bike with the help of the electric motor or pedal it yourself whenever you feel like having some exercise or when your battery power runs out.

These electric bicycles are very common in many countries now, like China, where the bicycle is the main mode of transportation. Electric motorbikes are not a new invention; its origins can be traced back to the late 19th century. Motorcycles evolved from this development, which tried to power a regular bicycle with motor power. If you have used a moped you would know what this means, as it is considered a direct result of these attempts and comes integrated with pedals. To propel or start a moped, in most cases, you would have to pedal. Hub motors, geared, chain drive, direct drive, and friction drive are some of the popular varieties of electric bicycles. You can also classify electric bicycles as power-on-demand where the motor is activated by a handle-bar based throttle or the pedelec one, where it is activated by pedaling.

The existence of the pedal is what makes a huge difference between electric bikes and motor bikes. Some electric bikes require pedaling in spite of the engine, while others don't. However, these pedals can save the day when you have any issues with the motor. These bicycles are integrated with much more stronger components when compared to the regular bicycles. These bikes come with a stronger frame to take care of the motor. Most of these ebikes comprise motors that can be recharged.

These many advantages explain the growing popularity of ebikes in most countries. They are non-polluting, quiet, small, easy to maneuver and inexpensive. Anyone can use these bicycles. With increasing traffic congestion, heavy pollution and concern for health, electric bicycles are slowly but surely becoming a preferred alternative for many. When compared to conventional bicycles, they are faster; and the best part, you don't need a license to ride these bikes in most countries. Some of the popular brand names that offer electric bicycles are General Engines, Sanyo, Emmo, and EV Warrior.

Bike Survival Kit

It’s actually quite easy to do routine maintenance on your own bike. And having the right tools for the job can mean the difference between enjoying an all-day ride and having to pack your bike up and head back home when something goes awry. So, what tools do you need to take along for the ride? First and foremost, you should have the tools to repair a flat fire. Next, invest in the tools needed to maintain your chain and brakes.

Bike Survival Kit :

• A basic bike survival kit should include:
• Tire patch kit
• Pump
• Chain tool
• Screwdriver
• Spare tube
• Wrenches in various sizes
• A more extensive bike survival kit would include:
• Chain cleaners
• Solvents specifically designed for bike chains
• Lubrication

 

Things to Check for Before You Hit the Road 

Brakes: Ensuring your brakes are working well is vitally important. Make sure you check your pads often to prevent rim damage and to ensure that your bike actually stops when it is supposed to. Adjusting the tension is also important.
Chain: Degrease the chain and re-lube it. Clean rear sprockets with a brush tool.
Gears: Check derailleur gear action and cables. Degrease chain and re-lube. Clean rear sprockets with brush tool.
Pedals: Make sure the axle spins freely. Check bottom bracket axles for looseness.
Steering: Make sure handlebar and stem is tight.
Frame: Check for damage. Make sure the seat is adjusted appropriately for your height.
Wheels: Make sure spokes and nipples are tightened and wheels are trued.

Check tire pressure and condition. If your suspension fork is quick release, make sure they are tightly fastened, and don’t forget to check tire pressure.

Copied with permission from: http://plrplr.com/8062/bike-survival-kit/

The History of Folding Bicycle

About 100 years after the invention of the bicycle, inventors began to create a variety of disassembling and folding bicycles. As opposed to bicycles that disassemble, however, designers create folding bicycles to optimize portability without requiring full detachment of parts. At their inception, folding bicycles were used almost exclusively by the military. Following World War II, and especially after the 1960s, manufacturers produced folding bicycles primarily for the civilian consumer market.

Patents

Identifying the individual who first made a folding bicycle is difficult to determine because creators may have not documented their inventions. However, according to the Folding Cyclist website, the first known patent for a folding bicycle is documented in the United States as having been issued to inventor Michael B. Ryan in 1893. French military officer Henry Gérard filed the next documented folding bicycle patent in France in 1896. In marketing the bicycle, Gerard partnered with industrialist Charles Morel, who produced the bicycles for the French military. Inventor William Crowe patented a third folding bicycle design in England in 1896. The design was distinct from previous patents: It incorporated not only a folding frame, but also folding handlebars. Manufacturers made the bicycle under the name Faun Folding Cycle.

Military Use

Manufacturers produced folding bicycles beginning in the 1890s for military use. As mentioned above, the French military used folding bicycles at least from 1896. In 1897, the New York Times documented that the Dwyer Folding Bicycle Company made folding bikes for the U.S. military. Birmingham Small Arms (BSA) in England made bicycles for the British army during World War II. British military parachutists jumped from planes with the folded bikes attached to their gear.

Post-World War II Folding Bikes

Production of folding bicycles declined after World War II. Those that were produced were marketed to a civilian rather than a military clientele. In the 1940s, Le Petit-Bi bicycle for civilian consumers in France featured wheels that were smaller than previous designs.

1960s through 1970s

The Moulton bicycle gained popularity in the 1960s. Folding bicycle manufacturing increased worldwide into the 1970s. Companies such as Raleigh, Peugeot and Bianchi produced and sold folding bicycles geared toward a wide consumer market.

1980s through Today

In the 1980s, Dr. David Hon began the folding bicycle company, Dahon. Since that time, Dahon has become the most popular folding bicycle company in the world. The 1980s also saw the development of the Brompton bicycle, which also remains highly popular today. According to the Folding Cyclist, more than 100 companies currently specialize in manufacturing folding bicycles.

 Source : http://www.ehow.com/about_6720502_history-folding-bicycle.html