The Bicycle
"The bicycle has got to be one of the most clever and cunning devices that we humans have ever invented. The wheel would be a close second, but we didn't so much invent the wheel as just find it, and besides, the wheel never really amounted to anything until people started putting it on bicycles" (MEC, 2001). Through the years the bicycle has improved significantly from it's earliest design and remains a healthy and environmentally sound means of transportation. Through time there have been literally myriads of bicycle like contraptions. Recognition for the first invention of a bicycle is credited to Comte de Sivrac, who in the late 1790's constructed a crude form of bicycle consisting of a carved wooden bar and two wheels. It was lacking a front fork and could therefore not be steered. The next appearance of a two wheeled riding machine came in 1816. Baron von Drais, constructed a similar machine, only his with a fork for the front wheel which allowed the rider to steer. Pedals where finally introduced in the 1860's on a form of cycle called the velocipede or more popularly known as the bone
Riding a bicycle is not only health friendly and fun, but it doesn't contribute to air pollution, make noise or even mark it's path. The automobile on the other hand, is noisy and contributes a great deal to air pollution. The power to move a car comes from the combustion of fuel. Anyone and everyone can enjoy riding a bicycle whether it be a leisurely ride through the park, or a speedy sprint to work. Even though the bicycle is constantly evolving, one can be assured that the healthy benefits of exercising through cycling and doing so in an environmentally friendly way will always be the same. Pollution from cars is a result of the combustion process. Cars emit pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons (EPA, 2001). Bicycles require human power to move and thus create no emissions. According to the Noise Pollution Clearinghouse(2001), noise is among the most pervasive pollutants today. Noises from road traffic, garbage trucks, construction equipment to name a few, are among the unwanted sounds that are routinely broadcast into the air. Noise negatively affects
Some common words found in the essay are:
, Call Dowd, Pollution Clearinghouse2001, riding bicycle, benefits exercising cycling, call dowd 1974, call dowd, maintaining physical fitness, basal metabolism, regular exercise, exercising cycling, benefits exercising, physical fitness, means transportation, air pollution, maintaining physical,
Approximate Word count = 746
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
