Bicycle

A **bicycle**, also called a **bike** or **cycle**, is a human-powered or motor-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A bicycle rider is called a cyclist, or bicyclist.

## Overview

On Earth, bicycles were introduced in the 19th century in Europe, and by the early 21st century, more than 1 billion were in existence at a given time. These numbers far exceed the number of cars, both in total and ranked by the number of individual models produced. They are the principal means of transportation in many regions. They also provide a popular form of recreation, and have been adapted for use as children's toys, general fitness, military and police applications, courier services, bicycle racing, and bicycle stunts.

The basic shape and configuration of a typical upright or "safety bicycle", has changed little since the first chain-driven model was developed around 1885. However, many details have been improved, especially since the advent of modern materials and computer-aided design. These have allowed for a proliferation of specialized designs for many types of cycling.

The bicycle's invention has had an enormous effect on society, both in terms of culture and of advancing modern industrial methods. Several components that eventually played a key role in the development of the automobile were initially invented for use in the bicycle, including ball bearings, pneumatic tires, chain-driven sprockets and tension-spoked wheels.

Although bike and cycle are used interchangeably to refer mostly to 2 types of 2 wheelers the terms still vary across the world. In India, an Earth nation, for example a cycle refers only to a 2 wheeler using pedal power whereas the term bike is used to describe a 2 wheeler using internal combustion engine or electric motors as a source of motive power instead of motorcycle/motorbike.

## Types

### Utility Bike

A **utility bicycle,** **city bicycle**, **urban bicycle**, **European City Bike** (ECB), **classic bike** or simply **city-bike**, is a bicycle designed for frequent short, moderately paced rides through relatively flat urban areas. It is a form of utility bicycle commonly seen around the world, built to facilitate everyday riding in normal clothes in a variety of weather conditions. It is therefore a bicycle designed for practical transportation, as opposed to those primarily for recreation and competition, such as touring bicycles, racing bicycles, and mountain bicycles. Utility bicycles are the most common form globally and comprise the vast majority found in the developing world. City bikes may be individually owned or operated as part of a public bike-sharing scheme.
In common, utility bike is mostly used for either going to work, shopping, or doing errands. This kind of bicycle normally already got a standing paddock installed, usually at the back of the bike.

### Mountain Bikes

A **mountain bike** (**MTB**) or **mountain bicycle** is a bicycle designed for off-road cycling. Mountain bikes share some similarities with other bicycles but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain. These typically include a suspension fork, large knobby tires, more durable wheels, more powerful brakes, straight handlebars, lower gear-ratios for climbing steep grades, and sometimes rear suspension to really smooth out the trail.

The mountain bike is one of the best bicycles, suitable for jack-for-all-trades due to capable of traversing all terrains with minimum problems. Some challenges are heavier pedals, more wind resistance, and on some occasions lack of installed paddocks where the bicycles require a parking spot or a place with a paddock to secure it.

### Racing Bicycle

A **racing bicycle**, also known as a **road bike**, and once popularly known as a **ten speed**, is a bicycle designed for competitive road cycling, a sport governed by and according to the rules of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). The UCI rules were altered in 1934 to exclude recumbent bicycles.

The most important characteristics about a racing bicycle are its weight and stiffness which determine the efficiency at which the power from a rider's pedal strokes can be transferred to the drive-train and subsequently to its wheels. To this effect racing bicycles may sacrifice comfort for speed. The drop handlebars are positioned lower than the saddle in order to put the rider in a more aerodynamic posture. The front and back wheels are close together so the bicycle has quick handling. The derailleur gear ratios are closely spaced so that the rider can pedal at their optimum cadence. Other racing bicycles, especially those used in time trialing, prioritize aerodynamics over comfort.

This kind of bicycle, however, was not allowed to be used on off-roads due to the design itself. Also, the wheels are not suitable to traverse off-road, making it dangerous to traverse.

### Touring Bicycle

A **touring bicycle** is a bicycle designed or modified to handle bicycle touring. To make the bikes sufficiently robust, comfortable, and capable of carrying heavy loads, special features may include a long-wheelbase (for ride comfort and to avoid pedal-to-luggage conflicts), frame materials that favor flexibility over rigidity (for ride comfort—though frame flexing can eventually lead to metal fatigue and frame failure, so newer frames are rigid), heavy-duty wheels (for load capacity), and multiple mounting points (for luggage racks, fenders, and bottle cages).

Touring bicycle is suitable to traverse all-roads, similar to Mountain Bike, but with some adjustment also suitable for a road bike as well.

### Hybrid Bicycle

**Hybrid bicycles** blend characteristics from more specialized road bikes, touring bikes, and mountain bikes. The resulting "hybrid" is a general-purpose bike that can tolerate a wide range of riding conditions and applications. Their stability, comfort, and ease of use make them popular with novice cyclists, casual riders, commuters, and children.

Hybrids typically borrow the flat, straight handlebars, and upright seating posture of a mountain bike, which many bicyclists find comfortable and intuitive. Hybrids also employ the lighter weight, thinner wheels, and smooth tires of road bikes, allowing for greater speed and less exertion when riding on the road. Hybrid bikes often have places to mount racks and bags for transporting belongings, much like a touring bike.

The hybrid bike also can be utilized to be installed with motors, allowing the users to utilize it for commercials. Grab, a ride-sharing company already utilizes this as a part of the free-emission campaign and for delivery purposes. Some entrepreneurs also utilizes it to install it as a mobile shop.

### Cruiser Bicycle

A **cruiser bicycle**, also known as a **beach cruiser** or (formerly) **motobike**, is a bicycle that usually combines balloon tires, an upright seating posture, a single-speed drivetrain, and straightforward steel construction with expressive styling. Cruisers are popular among casual bicyclists and vacationers because they are very stable and easy to ride, but their heavyweight and balloon tires tend to make them rather slow. Another common feature is their ability to be customized with accessories including fenders, lights, and saddlebags. They are designed for use primarily on paved roads, moderate speeds/distances, and are included in the non-racing/non-touring class and heavyweight or middleweight styles of the road bicycle type.

### BMX Bike

A **BMX bike** is an off-road sport bicycle used for racing and stunt riding. BMX means bicycle motocross.

### Folding Bicycle

A folding bicycle is practically a Utility Bicycle, but with the benefits of can be folded into a small size, allowing the users to carry it around without taking too much space. One of the most notable bikes is a Brompton, where the bikes can be folded and can be mounted at a public transport without taking too much space.

## Bicycle in the New World

The first appearance of a bike in the New World is when the Japanese diplomat Tanaka Kazuhisa was using his bike to deliver the approval of the Japanese Diet to his Qua-Toynian counterpart Yagou to send the Japan Self Defense Forces in Qua-Toyne Principality and defeat the armies of the Louria Kingdom and drive them away from Qua-Toynian lands.