In the olden days before automobiles were readily available, people traveled by horse and buggy, carriage, bicycle, or on foot. As automobiles became more available, people began using them for travel. Eventually, automobiles became the primary mode of transportation.

People now use bicycles for recreation or exercise, but most people do not drive their vehicles very far from home. However, many people own automobiles and use them daily, even driving long distances on a daily basis. . . . . .

I think the statement that ‘people now use bicycles for recreation or exercise, but most people do not drive their vehicles very far from home’ is only partially correct. While it is true that many bicycles are used only for recreation, others, such as commuters, are able to use them for both recreation and exercise. Many cyclists, for example, use their bikes to transport children to and from school, run errands, and perform other daily tasks. Most cyclists do not own a car, and even if they did, cycling is often faster than driving in most situations, resulting in fewer cars on the road and a lower probability of traffic congestion. In addition, cycling is a relatively low-cost form of transportation, especially compared to a car, and it is a much healthier alternative to driving a vehicle. Furthermore, bicycles can be folded and transported easily, compared to their automobile counterparts, and, unlike cars, do not require much parking space. All of these factors combine to make bicycles an important and popular alternative form of transportation.

Recreational cyclists may choose bicycles over cars because bikes are fun to ride. A bicycle offers the same freedom that a car does, but it takes the rider on a slightly different route. When a car is parked, it occupies the same space, whether the car is in use or not. However, bicycles have their own designated areas, called bike lanes, where they can safely ride. On some streets, bicycle lanes may be marked with special paint or signs, but in some places, they may be unmarked, allowing cyclists to use the streets without endangering other drivers. Moreover, unlike cars, which are frequently transported from one location to another, bicycles are stationary, so they do not need to be charged or maintained on a daily basis. They are also portable, so they can be stored in garages or sheds when not in use, and folded and carried with ease. Most cyclists do not use their bicycles for long distances, but for recreation, short trips are enough. For trips that exceed a few miles, bicycles are still faster, healthier, and more convenient than driving a car.

For some cyclists, however, bicycles are used not only for recreation, but also as transportation. Commuting cyclists use their bikes to get to work. Commuting by bicycle has some advantages over driving. First of all, a bicycle is faster than driving in most situations. The fastest cyclists can pedal at 25 miles per hour, while cars typically travel at speeds of 35 to 45 miles per hour. In addition, commuting by bicycle is more environmentally friendly than driving. A bicycle can travel 30 miles on a single gallon of gas, while a car can drive 250 miles on that same amount of fuel. With gas prices increasing, many commuters are switching to bicycling. According to Bicycling Magazine, the biggest obstacle faced by bicycle commuters is that 30 percent of employers have no bicycle parking facilities, and 68 percent of employers have no plans for providing more bicycle parking in the future. To help cyclists overcome this problem, some cities, such as Madison, Wisconsin, have implemented ‘bike-to-work’ programs, which offer free or discounted bicycles to commuters. Since the cost of owning a vehicle is very expensive, some employees are unable to drive to work, but they are able to ride their bicycles, which saves them money. Finally, bicycle commuting is also much healthier than driving. Studies have shown that those who drive to work are at risk for developing health problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, and heart disease. Commuting by bicycle, on the other hand, improves a person’s physical health while reducing air pollution and reducing traffic congestion. The effects of cycling on a person’s health are not the only reason many cyclists choose to commute by bike. Compared with driving, riding a bike is less stressful. Road traffic is extremely stressful, and the stress of driving can lead to depression. In addition, driving in traffic has a high probability of causing an accident. A recent report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that there were 3.6 million crashes in the United States in 2016, resulting in 37,461 deaths and 2.3 million injuries. By comparison, bicycle accidents are rare; in 2016, there were a total of 7,484 bicycle-related deaths and 56,000 injuries. As a result, cycling to work reduces stress, strengthens a person’s body, and reduces pollution and traffic congestion.

Overall, bicycles are a viable means of transportation. They may be used for recreation or for transportation, depending on the rider’s goals. However, most cyclists do not drive long distances, and those who do tend to use their cars primarily for recreation.