The Topic: Bicycles and Biking Easier - A bicycle is a two-wheeled vehicle that you ride by pushing the pedals with your feet and steering with the handlebars. A bicycle's parts include the two wheels, a seat, pedals, handlebars, and a frame that holds everything together.   Harder - People throughout the world use bicycles for recreation, exercise, and transportation. Bicycles are manufactured in a variety of sizes and styles. There are five main styles of bicycles: (1) mountain for off-road use, (2) road or touring bicycle, (3) hybrid including the tandem bike, (4) juvenile and children's model, and (5) specialty bike such as the BMX model. Bicycles are usually made in the countries of Brazil, China, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States.   Articles For New Cyclists by S. Brown http://www.sheldonbrown.com/beginners/index.html This bike site was created for beginning cyclists who want to know about things like gear shifting, braking and turning, cycling and pain and more. Related Websites: 2) From Trike to Bike Without Training Wheels by L. Scanlon from FamilyFun http://family.go.com/raisingkids/child/skills/feature/dcpt68bike/dcpt68bike.html 3) Harris Cyclery Articles by S. Brown and Others http://www.sheldonbrown.com/articles.html   Bike Center from National Bike Safety Network, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/bike/ This organization exchanges information on bike safety programs, legislation, and research; develops national programs on bicycle safety; and shares resources. Other Bike Safety Sites: 2) 10 Smart Routes to Bicycle Safety http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/10bike/ 3) Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute http://www.bhsi.org/index.htm 4) Bicycle Safety from Illinois State Police http://www.state.il.us/kids/isp/bikes/ 5) Bicycle Safety: Rules of the Road from Eugene, Oregon Police Department http://www.ci.eugene.or.us/DPS/police/trfbikes.htm 6) Bicycle Safety Tips http://www.ci.chi.il.us/CommunityPolicing/Alerts/SafetyTips/BikeSafety/BikeSafety.html 7) Bike Safety-Make Bicycling Safer for Yourself and Your Children from Meriter Health Services http://www.meriter.com/living/library/sports/bikesafe.htm 8) How to Not Get Hit by Cars by M. Bluejay http://bicyclesafe.com/ 9) Safety City Bike Tour http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/kids/biketour/index.html 10) Safety on Wheels from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta http://www.choa.org/safety/wheels/default.shtml 11) Steering Your Way to Bicycle Safety from KidsHealth http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/out/bike_safety.html   Bicycle Lane http://www.bikelane.com/ This comprehensive links-site connects to a wide variety of online resources related to bicycles and biking. Related Websites: 2) Bike.com http://www.bike.com/ 3) Bicycle Source http://www.bicyclesource.com/ 4) Bicycle Wire http://www.bicyclewire.com/ 5) Bicycling http://www.bicyclingmagazine.com/ 6) Bicycling Life http://www.bicyclinglife.com/ 7) Group Ride http://www.groupride.com/ 8) MtbREVIEW http://www.mtbr.com/ 9) USA Cycling Online http://www.usacycling.org/   Science of Cycling from Exploratorium http://www.exploratorium.edu/cycling/ This site focuses on information on the science of cycling and how bikes work. Related Websites: 2) Bicycles from Newton's Apple http://www.pbs.org/ktca/newtons/13/bike.html 3) How Bicycles Work by M. Brain from Howstuffworks http://www.howstuffworks.com/bicycle.htm   After visiting several of the websites, complete one or more of these activities.   Try Some Bike Games. Start with the guidelines found at Three Bike Games and Tortoise Tango Bicycle Race; both sites are from FamilyFun. Lastly, create your own bicycle game. See if you can come up with a safe, new and fun activity.   Organize A Bicycle Rodeo. Bicycle Rodeo are designed to assist in promoting bicycle safety. A typical Bicycle Rodeo tests specific riding skills on a designated course. You can get ideas and useful information at sites like (1) Ride Safe Take Home Bicycle Rodeo Guide from Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, (2) Checklist for Planning a Bicycle Rodeo from National Crime Prevention Council, (3) Bicycle Rodeo Booklet, (4) Bicycle Rodeo Equipment Checklist from Bicycling Life. This could be a neighborhood, school, organization, or an individual endeavor. Consider involving adults in all stages of the planning and conduct of such an event. Liability concerns might be lessened by use of a (5) Consent Form. Design a form to fit your event.   Complete A Bicycling WebQuest. Adapt or follow the procedures found at the following webQuest sites: 1) Bike Safety by C. Altenburg http://www.elko.k12.nv.us/scelem/Frontpage.html 2) Save the Soil (Grades 4-8) from eduScapes NatureScapes http://www.eduscapes.com/nature/cryptsoil/act.htm   Go Shopping Online For A New Bike. Using online resources, find and select a new bike. What kind of bike would fit the type of riding you plan to do? During the shopping process, create a list of features that you are looking for, another list of those things that it would be nice to have but are not absolutely required, and a list of things to be avoided. Now for the tough part, find the bike that meets your needs at the lowest price.   Review Your Bike. Write a critical review of your bike making sure to identify its strongest and best features as well as any weak points. For an alternative activity, create an advertisement for your bike. This could be a brochure or one-page flyer.   Create A Bike Poster. Make it as colorful and attractive as possible while still conveying an important message. Your message content could focus on bicycle safety or environment protection in off-road biking.   Plan A Bike Trip. Decide on a location for a five-day bicycle trip. Cover all aspects including a map of the route, transportation to and from the location, safety, sleeping arrangements, food requirements, clothing, etc. Put together a database that categorizes all items, amounts, and costs. Couple this with a day-to-day schedule.   Teach Someone A Bike Task. First, select a bicycle-related task that you consider important to teach others. Then analyze the task to identify the critical components that are important to explain. Include any drawings, pictures, or other visual tools that help to convey your lesson. Try a trial run of your lesson and see how it works. Revise and improve before your final presentation.   Persuade People To Ride Their Bike To Work. Write a persuasive editorial for the newspaper to convince people to ride their bike to work. An alternative article could be an argument supporting the creation of a bike path in your neighborhood or community.   Teach Someone To Ride A Bike. Remember how you learned to ride a bike. What are the steps to learning - - what is the best way to teach someone to ride a bike? Decide how you would teach someone. Explain your process in a step-by-step detail plan.   Websites By Kids For Kids Cycling Toward Success (1997 ThinkQuest Internet Challenge) http://library.thinkquest.org/11040/ The bicycle has been around since 1818. Since that first bike there have been many models, but which one is best for you? Mountain bikes, racing bikes, touring bikes, even BMX--this site helps you choose.   Propelled by Pedals: A Fun Guide to Bicycles (Platinum award, 2000 ThinkQuest Junior Project) http://library.thinkquest.org/J002670/ This comprehensive bicycle site includes criteria for selecting or buying a bike, bike safety, how a bike works, biking sports personalities, history of bicycles, bike tricks and trails, and much more.   Sport of Bicycling (1997 ThinkQuest Internet Challenge) http://library.thinkquest.org/11569/ This site is divided into road biking, mountain biking, and safety and nutrition. It covers the history and structure of the bicycle, how to choose the right bike for you, proper diet, clothing, equipment, and safety tips.   Bicycle History Japanese Bicycle History Research Club http://www2h.biglobe.ne.jp/~ootu02/index.html Founded in 1981, this group focuses on research of bicycle history and culture.   Montana Mountain Biking: The First Expedition http://www.highonadventure.com/Hoa97aug/Montana/montana.htm Learn about the first mountain bikers who conquered the West 100 years ago.   National Bicycle History Archive of America by L. Dixon http://members.aol.com/oldbicycle/index.html Read about bikes from your grandparents' day and check out some cool photos. Related Websites: 2) Bicycle History from Burgwardt Bicycle Museum http://members.aol.com/bicyclemus/bike_museum/PHbikbio.htm 3) Bicycle Museum of America http://www.bicyclemuseum.com/html/bike1.html 4) Bicycles: History - Beauty - Fantasy http://users.aol.com/pryordodge/bicyclexpo.html 5) History of the Bicycle http://www.footprintpress.com/Articles/historyBike.htm   Pedaling History Bicycle Museum http://www.pedalinghistory.com/ Have you ever wondered how the bicycle came about? What was the first machine that started it all? Explore the history of the American bicycle.   Story of the Bicycle from Franklin Institute http://www.fi.edu/pieces/payton/index.html In this resource, you will discover the history of bicycles and what influences prompted the changes in bicycle technology from the dangerous highwheeler bicycles of yesteryears to today's versatile models. Related Websites at Franklin Institute: 2) Cycle...of Heroes http://www.fi.edu/qa99/attic5/ 3) Getting a Handle...on Technology http://www.fi.edu/qa99/attic6/index.html   Wheelmen http://www.thewheelmen.org/ The Wheelmen is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping alive the heritage of American cycling, promoting the restoration and riding of early cycles (1918 or earlier), and encouraging cycling as part of modern living.   More Bike Websites American Bicycle Association: BMX Racing http://www.ababmx.com/ This official site has information on ABA BMX pros, rules, race results, membership information, and much more. Other BMX Sites: 2) BMX Mania http://www.bmxmania.com/ 3) BMX Online http://www.bmxonline.com/ 4) FATBMX http://www.fatbmx.com/index-fr.html 5) Gene's BMX (Links-site) http://www.genesbmx.com/ 6) Images from Haro Bicycles Photo Gallery http://www.harobikes.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?rider=mirra 7) National Bicycle League http://209.248.103.75/nbl/   Bicycle Maintenance Guide and Riding Tips by T. Driemeyer http://www.bitrot.de/bbook_intro.html Here is an online guide for bicycle maintenance and repairs, and tips for how to ride efficiently.   Bicycle Polo from U.S. Bicycle Polo Association, Inc. http://www.bikepolo.com/ Welcome to the exciting sport of Bicycle Polo! It's an old game that's been revitalized and growing in popularity throughout the USA and the world.   Bicycles by D. Convissor http://www.panix.com/~danielc/bicycle.htm This website contains information on helmet legislation, riding techniques, and bike safety related issues.   Bike Forums http://www.bicycleforum.com/ This site is a cycling and discussion forum. Related Website: 2) Bicycle Discussion Lists on Internet http://www-eksl.cs.umass.edu/~westy/cycling/cycling-on-internet.html   Bike to Work by T. Teyler & B. Mayhew http://biketowork.itelcom.com/main.html This website is dedicated to bicycle commuters. Other Bicycle Commuter Websites: 2) Bicycle Commuting by C.J. Silverio http://www.ceejbot.com/Meta/bike.commuting.php 3) Bicycle Commuting Guide from Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin http://www.btww.org/commuting/index.html 4) Bike to Work http://www.biketowork.com/ 5) Self-Propelled City http://www.self-propelled-city.com/   Cycling Performance Tips http://www.cptips.com/ This site covers basic physiology of exercise, energy requirements of bicycling, weight control, over training, and and basic nutrition - - to name a few topics.   Dictionary of Mountain Bike Slang by D. Landauer http://world.std.com/~jimf/biking/slang.html Many of the slang terms used in mountain biking come from the off-road motorcycling culture, from "trials" bicycling and BMX, and from road cycling. And some of the (numerous!) terms for "crash" came from skiing, snow boarding, surfing, or skating (inline or boards). Other subcultures have also contributed terms. Related Sites: 2) Dictionary of Roadie Slang http://members.tripod.com/geert_pc/slang.htm 3) Glossary of Biking Terms and Slang http://www.bicyclesource.com/you/culture/bicycling-glossary.html   Icebike http://www.enteract.com/~icebike/ This website is dedicated to the winter cyclists, who brave ice and snow and cycle for transportation, recreation, or competition in winter.    Laws Pertaining to Bicyclists http://www.massbike.org/lawlegis/ Here you can examine bicycle laws in each state in the U.S., Canada, and a few other countries.   League of American Bicyclists http://www.bikeleague.org/ This organization promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. Related Organizations: 2) International Human Powered Vehicle Association http://www.ihpva.org/    Lehigh Valley Velodrome http://www.lvvelo.org/ Check out the cycling news and information from an arena where racers compete on bicycles with incredibly narrow tires and no brakes!   Mike's Mega Bicycle Links by M. Bentley http://www.mikebentley.com/bike/index.html Here is a huge mega-collection of links to bicycle related websites.   Mountain Biking by G. Goss http://www.cwu.edu/%7Egossge/mountainbike.html Interested in mountain biking? If you are looking for links to bike dealers, teams, clubs, events, and accessories, you are on the right trail. Related Websites: 2) Club MTB http://www.clubmtb.com/club/default.asp 3) International Mountain Bicycling Association http://www.imba.com/ 4) Mountain Biking http://mtb.live.com/ 5) National Off Road Bicycle Association (NORBA) http://www.adventuresports.com/asap/norba/norba.htm   Off Road Use of Bicycles from Sierra Club http://www.sierraclub.org/policy/conservation/mtnbike.asp Read the conservation policies of the Sierra Club for off road bicycling. Related Websites: 2) Hey (Hey!) You (You!), Get Off of My Trail! by J. Danz from Outside Online http://www.outsidemag.com/magazine/0899/9908imba.html 3) Mountain Biking Etiquette for Off-Road Cyclists . . . http://www.bicyclesource.com/you/trail/etiquette/ 4) Off-Road Impacts of Mountain Bikes http://www.mbosc.org/Impacts/summary.html 5) Off-Road To Ruin by T. Shore from Faultline Magazine http://www.faultline.org/news/2001/07/shoreoffroad1.html 6) Trail Bikers Confront Uphill Battle for Places to Ride by G. Black from Seattle Times http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=mont31&date=20000831 7) Wildlife Need Habitat Off-Limits to Humans! by M.J. Vandeman http://home.pacbell.net/mjvande/india3.htm    People Movers: Why Ride A Recumbent? http://www.recumbent.com/why.html This site promotes the advantages of recumbent bikes.   Slayer's Freestyle Biking How To Page http://www.geocities.com/Pipeline/Shore/3691/ Here are instructions for basic and advanced jumping tricks, street tricks, and quarter pipe tricks.   Biking Personalities Lance Armstrong http://www.lancearmstrong.com/ This is the official website of Lance Armstrong. Related Websites: 2) Talking Cycling: Today, Bill Talks with Lance from Cycling News http://www.cyclingnews.com/interviews/lance97.html 3) Tiger Who? Lance Armstrong Is the Real Sports Hero from Time http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,49763,00.html 4) Unofficial Lance Armstrong Fan Club http://www.lancearmstrongfanclub.com/   Greg LeMond http://www.greglemond.com/site/ In 1986, Greg LeMond, despite being constantly threatened by his own teammate, Bernard Hinault, became the first American to win the largest single annual sporting event in the world, the Tour de France. Other Websites for Greg LeMond: 2) Greg LeMond Q&A http://www.roble.net/marquis/coaching/gregQ_A.html 3) Legendary Greg LeMond http://gl.nidus.net/greg_lemond.html 4) Once Was King: An interview with Greg LeMond by B. Malessa http://www.roble.net/marquis/coaching/lemond98.html   Major Taylor Association, Inc. http://www.majortaylorassociation.org/ Learn about the 1899 world champion bicycle racer from Worcester (MA) who overcame racial prejudice to become the first internationally acclaimed African-American sports star. Related Website: 2) Major Taylor: Biography at a Glance http://users.rcn.com/ltolman/taylor2.htm 3) Major Taylor Society http://www.majortaylor.com/ 4) Marshall Walter "Major" Taylor http://www.bridgew.edu/HOBA/taylor.htm   Bicycle Manufacturers Cannondale Bikes http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/ Diamondback Bikes http://www.diamondback.com/ Gary Fisher http://www.fisherbikes.com/index.asp GR Bicycles http://www.gtbicycles.com/flash.html Huffy Bicycle Company http://www.huffybikes.com/ LeMond Racing Cycles http://www.lemondbikes.com/ Mongoose http://www.mongoose.com/mongoose/default.asp Raleigh http://www.raleighbikes.com/main/index.html Schwinn Bikes http://www.schwinnbike.com/index2.php Specialized http://www.specialized.com/ Trek Bikes http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/index.jsp   Bike Trails and Regional / State Information Bicycle Clubs in the U.S.A. http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/6213/ This page can help you find information on bicycle clubs in your area. This site also contains an extensive number of links to related bicycle information sites. Related Website: 2) Bicycle Club Directory from Adventure Sports Online http://www.adventuresports.com/bike/bikeclub.htm   Great Bicycle Trails by J. and P. Mayberry http://www.great-trails.com/ Find out about some great bike trails. Related Websites: 2) Mountain Bike Trails Source http://www.trailsource.com/biking/index.asp 3) Pedaling.com http://www.pedaling.com/ 4) Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) http://www.railtrails.org/ 5) Trail Finder http://www.trails.com/explore/trails.asp 6) Trails from Rails: Pathways to Adventure and Discovery http://www.trailsfromrails.com/index.html 7) Trails from Singletracks http://www.singletracks.com/ 8) United States Mountain Bike Trails Project http://www.tigerlair.com/trails/   Alabama: Mountain Biking in Alabama Arizona: Mountain Bike AZ Arkansas: Bike Arkansas Blue Ridge Mountains: Dan Casey's Best Bike Rides of the Blue Ridge California: (1) Southern California Bike Site, (2) Northern California/Nevada Cycling Association, Canada: Bicycling in Canada from Canadian Trail Guide Colorado: (1) Bicycle Colorado, (2) Cycling on Colorado's Front Range, (3) Colorado Bike Paths Central District of Columbia: Washington Area Bicyclist Association Florida: Off-Road (Mountain) Biking in Florida Idaho: Idaho Bicycling Illinois: (1) Illinois Bicycling Guide, (2) Illinois Mountain Bike Connection Indiana: Indiana Bicycle Coalition, Inc. Iowa: (1) Bike Iowa, (2) Iowa Coalition of Off-Road Riders Maine: Bicycle Coalition of Maine Michigan: (1) League of Michigan Bicyclists, (2) U.P. Mountain Biking Midwest Region: (1) Midwest Cyclist's Forum, (2) Biking Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan Minnesota: (1) Twin Cities Bicycling Club (Minneapolis/St. Paul), (2) Biking Minnesota New Jersey: MountainBike NJ New Mexico: (1) Biking in New Mexico, (2) Mountain Biking in Southern New Mexico New York: New York Bicycling Coalition Ohio: (1) Biking Ohio from Ohio Department of Transportation, (2) Ohio Bicycle Trails from Explore Ohio Oregon: (1) Southern Oregon Mountain Bike Association, (2) Oregon Cycling Magazine Southeast U.S.: Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) Southwest U.S.: Rock and Ride! Trail Guide Tennessee: (1) Appalachain Mountain Bike Club, (2) Bicycle Clubs in Tennessee, (3) East Tennessee Mountain Bike Rides, Texas: (1) Texas Bike Clubs, (2) Texas Mountain Biking Utah: Utah Mountain Biking Vermont: Green Mountain Bicycle Club Virginia: Virginia Bicycling Federation Washington: (1) Bicycle Alliance of Washington, (2) Cascade Bicycle Club, (3) Wisconsin Biking Wisconsin: (1) Biking in Wisconsin, (2) Wisconsin Off Road Bicycling Association    Websites For Teachers Bicycles Bicycles (Grades 7-9) by J.P. Crotty from Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute http://www.cis.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1987/6/87.06.01.x.html#a The primary objective of this unit is to demonstrate through a collection of applications how you can effectively use bicycles to teach mathematics and science. The unit emphasizes easy to do experiments.   Bicycle Safety/Safety Tips (Grades 1-2) by L. Fix from AskERIC http://askeric.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Health/Safety/SFY0003.html Children need to learn the importance of bicycle safety. This lesson will show them safety tips and information for safe bicycling. Related Lesson Plans from AskERIC: 2) Bicycle Safety: Obstacle Course (Grades 2-7) http://askeric.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Health/Safety/SFY0004.html 3) Bike Rodeo (Grades 2-7) by T. Bassett http://askeric.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Health/Safety/SFY0005.html   Fit Lesson (Grades 5-12) by G. Goss http://www.cwu.edu/~gossge/mtblessonplans.html The correct fit of both helmet and bike is perhaps the single most important factor to optimum riding. Other Lessons in the Same Bicycle Unit: 2) Balancing Lesson http://www.cwu.edu/~gossge/mtbbalance.html 3) Falling Lesson http://www.cwu.edu/~gossge/mtbfalling.html 4) Riding Over Obstacles Lesson http://www.cwu.edu/~gossge/mtblesson4.html 5) Steep Descents Lesson http://www.cwu.edu/~gossge/mtblesson5.html 6) Climbing Lesson http://www.cwu.edu/~gossge/mtblesson6.html 7) Jumping Lesson http://www.cwu.edu/~gossge/mtblesson7.html 8) Cornering Lesson http://www.cwu.edu/~gossge/mtblesson8.html 9) General Information and Practice Riding Skills Lesson http://www.cwu.edu/~gossge/mtbgeninfo.html   Geometry of Bicycle Designs (Grades 3-5) from PBS TeacherSource http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/mathline/concepts/designandmath/activity1.shtm By studying the frames of different types of bicycles , students investigate how triangles can be used to design bicycles and make conjectures about angle sizes and type of bicycles. Other Related Lessons for PBS TeacherSource: 2) Mathematics of Bicycles I: Wheel Figure this out (Grades 4-7) http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/mathline/concepts/neighborhoodmath/activity3.shtm 3) Mathematics of Bicycles II: Gearing Up! (Grades 7-10) http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/mathline/concepts/neighborhoodmath/activity4.shtm   Use Your Head&emdash;Use Your Helmet! from Health Teacher http://www.healthteacher.com/lessonguides/injuries/2-3/inj5el23/index.asp Students learn about the importance of wearing a helmet properly through a demonstration, an object lesson (using an egg), and use of a student handout.   Using Variables and Ratios to Get You in the Right Gear by G.K. Smith http://www.iit.edu/~smile/ma8624.html Students will determine the gear ratios and gears for a 12-speed bicycle. Related Website: 2) Mathematics of Bicycles II: Gearing Up! (Grades 7-10) from PBS TeacherSource http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/mathline/concepts/neighborhoodmath/activity4.shtm   Mountain Biking by K. Brenner http://www.cwu.edu/%7Ebrenneka/mbikingtableofcontents.html Students work on mountain biking fundamentals such as braking, cornering, uphill riding, downhill riding, an obstacle course, and riding on trails.   Teacher's Guide for Bicycles by T. Payton from Franklin Institute http://www.fi.edu/pieces/payton/teach.htm This is the online teacher's guide for a thematic unit on bicycles.   biking pedal commuter chain trail bike bicycle balloon tire sprocket BMX bike mountain bike bicycle polo seat frame coaster brake gear aerodynamics caliper brake touring bike safety jump highwheeler hill climb corner pack signal turn rail trail downhill cycling handlebars obstacle pedal cantilever brake X Games recumbent unicycle derailleur helmet off-road dirt-biking chainring stem bike safety        Created by Annette Lamb and Larry Johnson, 7/02.