This site offers a very brief description of the U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps and an interesting photograph of the soldiers on their bikes. In this math activity, students count the gear teeth on a 10-speed bicycle, calculate gear ratios, and plot their data on a number line. This activity, from an online teacher's guide produced by the American Society for Mechanical Engineers, uses simple mathematics to solve a variety of gear-related problems. This lesson plan offers nine classroom activities that explore gears and pulleys. Worksheets and letters to parents are included.
Students use the web to complete an algebra activity that explores gear ratios and bicycle design.
The site includes a nice explanation of gear ratios. This workbook provides hands-on activities describing the gears used in compound machines such as bikes. It also discusses the effect that friction has on a bicycle. This workbook has four transparencies and eight reproducible pages to help students understand the key concepts of work, force, movement, distance, speed, friction, and simple machines. This book presents an entire unit combining science and literature.