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Get to know the bike better and discover the benefits it brings to health and the environment

Brennan Ehrhardt image on Unsplash

Well, everyone knows what a bicycle is, right? But if you come from another planet or want to learn more about the history of this popular sustainable vehicle, my friend or friend, you have arrived at the right article.

So let's start at the beginning: a bicycle is a two-wheeled vehicle attached to a frame and is moved by the effort of its user, the cyclist. The bicycle was "designed" in the 19th century in Europe and is the most used vehicle in the world, providing fast mobility and recreation for its users. Not to mention that "skinny" does not generate emissions.

bicycle history

Draisiana: precursor of the bicycle did not look very comfortable. Wilhelm Siegrist (1797-1843?). Image of Draisine1817 public domain in Wikimedia Commons

But what is the story of the bicycle? How did it come about? It all started with the "draisiana", the first means of transport to use two wheels. It was invented by the German Karl von Drais, in 1817, and had a kind of wooden beam with two wheels connected and aligned in the direction of rotation, a bench and a lever. To move, the user “skated” on the floor, alternately pushing the feet.

And what happened? The draisiana was a success! And, as it became known, many people tried to improve it. An adaptation with pedals appeared in 1839, created by the Scottish blacksmith Kirkpatrick Macmillan and which, although working well, did not become popular. Several models with pedals were developed in the following years by different inventors, but it was only in 1864 that the first company that built bicycles with pedals was created, opened by Pierre Michaux - it developed a model from the draisiana that was baptized as "velocipede".

With the industrial revolution, this means of transportation became popular and developed into the model we use today. The bicycle was of great importance for the development of transport, being one of the bases even for the creation of the automobile. Learn more about the evolution of the bicycle in the article: "[Video] The evolution of the bicycle in a minute".

In Brazil

At the end of the 19th century, the bicycle arrived in Brazil from Europe. The first reports of its use in the country come from the city of Curitiba, Paraná, where there was already a cyclist club organized by immigrants from the local German colony since 1895.

Until the mid-1940s, bicycles and their parts were imported, which meant a high cost due to import difficulties at the time. Due to the Second World War, with the substitution of imports, national companies such as Caloi, Monark and Irca started to produce a large part of the parts and, from the 1950s onwards, bicycles from these brands began to be produced entirely in Brazil because of government actions that made it difficult to import materials.

From the 2000s onwards, the governments of several urban centers in Brazil began to project investments in bicycle paths, aiming at reducing air pollution. Thus, there was an increase in the use of bicycles which, unfortunately, generated an increase in the number of traffic accidents involving cyclists - much is due to the little structure offered to urban cyclists in the country, but it is not possible to disregard the role of lack of information and prudence of drivers, pedestrians and even some cyclists.

bike parts

We already know a little about the history of the bicycle and its development in Brazil, but how is it made and which parts make it up? The most used materials for the manufacture of bicycles are steel, aluminum and carbon fiber. They can be recycled: aluminum hoops can become TV antennas or pan parts; seat, pedal and handlebar cover are reused for the production of packaging; steel chain, handlebar and frame can become raw material for civil construction. In other words, there is no excuse to throw the broken bike in the vacant lot near the house, right? See where to properly dispose of your used bicycle.

Each bicycle differs its components according to design and function. Below is a demonstration of a common bicycle and its main parts:

Mikkel Bech image in Unsplash. Modification Rodrigo Bruno

1. Saddle (saddle, seat)
2. seatpost
3. Handlebar
4. Table
5. brake levers
6. Steel cables
7. front brake
8. Tire
9. Front wheel
10. Fork
11. Pedal
12. crank and gear
13. Chain (belt)
14. Free wheel and gear
15. rear brake

Health Benefits of Cycling

Cycling is one of the best ways to exercise. If you still don't think it's worth it, there are plenty of reasons to be convinced:

• Cycling for 30 minutes a day can cut your risk of developing diabetes and obesity in half;
• It causes less impact on joints than other physical activities. As it is an exercise that is practiced sitting, the weight of the body is distributed and does not overload any part. It is suitable for beginners in physical activity, in addition to being a great exercise for those who are overweight;
• Helps prevent heart disease, heart attacks and high blood pressure;
• Promotes physical well-being;
• Increases quality of life and reduces the risk of depression;
• It works the large muscle groups in the legs, in addition to stimulating the abdomen to contract, helping to tone more than half of your body;
• It intensifies the blood supply to the genitals and pelvic vessels, increasing performance in sexual intercourse (do you really need another reason?);
• It stimulates the release of endorphins and serotonin levels, making the individual happier and having a healthy sleep;
• Reduces cholesterol and triglycerides;
• Lowers blood pressure;
• Improves the immune system;
• It guarantees good shape and breath to its practitioner.

Other Bike Benefits

In addition to these various health positives, the benefits of cycling extend to quality of life:

• It's a great way to enjoy family time and keep everyone in shape;
• Cycling is a great way to interact with friends and meet new people;
• Using a bike to get around will dramatically reduce your cost of getting around, saving you a lot of money that could be spent on other things;
• It reduces your carbon footprint, as it does not generate air pollution or noise, things that a car provides;
• Cycling promotes a feeling of independence and freedom. Why not explore your city, visit your friends or go shopping on your bike?
• Boosts your confidence;
• It has low maintenance cost;
• It is one of the fastest means of transport in big cities;

City pollution

Many people are concerned about using a bicycle in their daily lives because they think they are more exposed to pollution in cities than those who use a car. However, a study of the European Respiratory Society found that a cyclist is exposed to more pollution just compared to a pedestrian and if he is running a bicycle. In cars, even with the windows closed, the most concentrated pollution of the avenues invades the vehicle and the air does not circulate, exposing its drivers more.

On the other hand, when performing physical activities, we breathe more intensely, inhaling a greater volume of air and, consequently, more pollutants. The survey was carried out in Belgium and found that this volume of air is almost 4.2 times greater, and may even cause damage to cyclists. The researchers also concluded that this greater exposure is due to the fact that cyclists partially circulate along the avenues and streets where cars pass, that is, those on the sidewalk breathe less pollution. But those who use a bicycle can use an anti-pollution mask and also choose paths along quieter and less polluted streets. Take a look at how to reduce the risks of exercising in big cities.

First steps

Even with all these benefits, it is necessary to take some precautions before pedaling. First, it is recommended that you follow up with a doctor to check if you are able to practice this physical activity, so that there are no further complications. In addition, you should always pay attention to hydration before, during and after exercise.

A correct diet is also recommended until half an hour before the activity. Light foods rich in water and carbohydrates are ideal to supply our body's energy demand and keep it hydrated.

Stretching before and after riding a bike are also important to prepare the body for activity and to prevent injuries or bruises during exercise.

For beginners, it is recommended to stop during the activity, as they provide the body and muscle with a certain relaxation. The ideal is the consumption of water and some fruits like bananas and apples to replenish the body. The stopping times and total duration of physical activity will depend on the cyclist's physical condition. See tips to get you started cycling.

And don't forget protective equipment such as a helmet and an anti-pollution mask.

Equipment and protection

The bicycle works like a piece of clothing, it has to be the right size so that the experience of using it is comfortable and pleasurable. The best thing is for the person to go to a store and try the ideal frame size, which can vary according to the size of the user, their torso, arms and the height of their "horse" (the distance from the soles of the feet to the region that rests on the saddle).

Choosing the correct bike is also important and varies depending on the intended use. For cycling on the beach, where the terrain is flat, a bike without gears, ie, lighter, is a great option. In the city, a bicycle with 21 or 24 gears suits the cyclist well so that he can face the straights and hills.

Look for a specialized store, which has qualified people to answer your questions and indicate which size and type of bicycle are best suited for you.

The use of safety equipment is also important to reduce the chance of accidents and their impacts, should they occur. Helmets are essential for the protection of the cyclist and must be adjustable so that they are securely attached to the head. Goggles are important to protect our eyes from pollution in the urban environment, small objects (insects or “pebbles”), UV rays emitted by the sun and reflections that impair vision.

Proper sneakers or footwear is also essential so that the person does not slip on the pedal. Keep the shoelace securely fastened so it doesn't get caught.

In some cities, such as London, it is common to observe the use of a protective mask to avoid traffic pollution; this measure is at the discretion of the cyclist, who may feel uncomfortable using the mask, even though it is recommended by experts.

Other protective equipment such as gloves, horn, reflectors, headlights and rear view mirrors can be purchased in order to ensure more protection and comfort for the user. Remember not to use headphones during the activity: they can distract your attention from any possible audible warnings such as horns or screams of people.