Fun on Two Wheels
Do you have a bicycle? More and more adults and kids are getting on their bikes and taking to the road, lane or path. Today, about 100 million Americans cycle. Some cycle more than others, but the number is growing. May is National Bike Month. The Mini Page learns more about cycling and staying safe while riding.
Why cycle?
Many people think cycling offers a way to: • get where you are going; • stay healthy and keep in shape; • save money on transportation; • help planet Earth by not polluting the air; • cut down on traffic congestion. When kids or adults are cycling, they can notice things they miss from a car, such as sounds of the neighborhood and seeing friends.
Who cycles?
Workers in Oregon and the District of Columbia bike to work more than people in any other state, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Police officers
are using bikes to get around cities more easily and have more contact with people.
Pedicabs,
or bikes with a small passenger These police officers in Bellingham, Washington, use bikes to patrol the city. compartment attached, are popular in many cities around the United States. People hire the rider to deliver them to another location, just as a taxi cab would. Some schools have started bicycle trains — groups of kids who bike together to school with adult supervision. Having a group to ride with can make parents feel better about letting their kids pedal to school.
Cities stepping up
In many cities, bicyclists have convinced the government to make changes that make biking safer and more convenient. For example, some streets may have bike lanes painted on the surface. Drivers of cars know that bikes may be in that lane. Transportation such as buses and trains are providing bike racks so that bikers can ride part of the way to work or school and pedal the rest of the way.