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How does a bicycle work? |
Transportation
Bikes are pretty cool vehicles. You might not think of them as vehicles, but just like cars and trucks and planes, they transport people from one place to another. The really cool thing is that they are entirely people-powered. They don’t use gasoline or electricity. We make them work by pushing out feet. Since they don’t use other fuel, they’re really good for the environment, and they can easily move us about four times faster than walking!
Bikes are built on a metal frame. The handlebars are attached to the front wheel, so as they turn, the wheel turns too. That guides the direction of the bike.
The pedals are attached to a part with a cool name. It’s a sprocket. It’s a wheel with teeth that stick out of it around the edges. These teeth fit into a chain and the chain is attached to another sprocket on the back wheel. When your feet push the pedals, the sprocket turns the chain, which turns the back sprocket and the back wheel. It makes us move forward.
When it comes time to slow down and stop, bikes also have brakes! There are a few types. One is a kind you operate by squeezing a lever on the handlebars. Another is the kind you operate by pedaling backward. They both cause breaks to squeeze the rim of the wheel, which takes away energy from the wheel and causes it to slow down.
Biking Healthy!
Because bikes are people-powered, when we use them, we’re actually exercising! Just like any other workout, bikes help us burn calories and build muscle. Why do you think riding a bike is better exercise than riding in a car?
Riding a bike is also fun. You can take a bike ride with your family. It’s a fun and healthy way to spend a few hours. Of course you have to make sure you ride safely though. Bikes don’t have seat belts. What do you wear instead? Helmets are definitely a big part of bike safety. You should never bike without one.
Keep those wheels turning for a healthy you and a healthy Earth too!
