| Bicycles, also known as bikes or pushbikes, are | | | | and smooth roads. They cannot be used on off-road |
| vehicles that have two wheels, which are propelled by | | | | terrain paths. Some road cycles are also known as |
| pedals. Bicycles can be dated back to 19th century | | | | racing Bicycles, since they are generally used for cycle |
| Europe, and have evolved gradually into several | | | | racing. Nevertheless, they are the most preferred form |
| designs and models available today. Bicycles are an | | | | of bicycling, as most cycling is done on paved roads. |
| ideal means of transport as they are non-polluting, | | | | They are lightweight and very fast bikes. They are |
| quiet, small, easy to maneuver, light and inexpensive. | | | | also very strong, with the ability to go over a 100 miles |
| They can be used by anyone, from a 5-year-old to a | | | | per day. However, they are not comfortable for riding |
| 70-year-old. Bicycling is also a very good form of | | | | over bad roads. They are also not recommended for |
| exercise. However, there are a few disadvantages of | | | | people who have back, wrist, shoulder, prostate and |
| bicycles: they cannot be used for great distances and | | | | neck problems. |
| they also tire out the rider after sometime. This is the | | | | Road bikes are used for road cycling, which is a very |
| reason for the evolution of the engine-powered bicycle | | | | popular sport. Road cycling racing is very common in |
| or motor bicycle. The bicycles are still being used a | | | | Europe and some other countries like France, |
| chief means of transport in most countries. There are | | | | Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland |
| also some jobs where employees depend on bicycles, | | | | and the US. Other categories of road bicycles are the |
| like postal services, police services and retail delivery. | | | | touring bicycles and the Triathlon. |
| Road bicycles are designed to be used only on paved | | | | |