Cycling and tourism

Cycle tourism is now growing rapidly in the UK, in parallel
with renewed interest in personal health and fitness, and with
mounting concern over the environmental damage caused by road traffic. The development of the National Cycle Network, with 4,000 miles of route opening in June 2000
and 9,000 miles by 2005, provides both a catalyst and an opportunity for local authorities, tourism promoters and other agencies to define coherent route development and marketing strategies so as to benefit from cycle tourism. Cycle tourism in the UK is currently valued at £635 million per year. The potential for growth here is huge - the forecast for cycle tourism right across Europe is £14 billion per year within 20
years. With potential economic benefits at this scale it is not surprising that there is keen interest in how to develop routes to attract visitors and tourists, and how to market these effectively. The benefits of cycle tourism include reductions in pollution and traffic congestion, economic regeneration and better health. In recognition of this, the overnment is providing a strongly supportive policy framework. Both the 1998 White Paper on Integrated
Transport and the 1999 Tomorrow’s Tourism strategy document call for the development of sustainable transport modes.This information pack draws on basic research into cycle tourism and the motivation of its participants, and includes examples from both the UK and Europe to show the versatility and the wide range of benefits cycle Tourism can bring. The pack is intended particularly for use by Sustrans’ partners in the development of the  National Cycle Network.

Cycling

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cycling, also  called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists.Apart from ordinary two-wheeled bicycles, cycling also includes riding unicycles, tricycles, quadracycles, and other similar human-powered vehicles (HPVs).

Bicycles were introduced in the 19th century and now number about one billion worldwide. They are the principal means of transportation in many regions.

Cycling is an very efficient and effective  mode of transportation optimal for short to moderate distances. Bicycles provide numerous benefits compared to motor vehicles, including exercise, an alternative to the use of fossil fuels, no air or noise pollution, much reduced traffic congestion, easier parking, greater maneuverability, and  access to both roads and paths. The advantages are at less financial cost to the user as well as society (negligible damage to roads, and less pavement required). Criticisms and disadvantages of cycling include reduced protection in crashes, particularly with motor vehicles, longer travel time (except in densely populated areas), vulnerability to weather conditions, difficulty in transporting passengers, and the skill and fitness required. 

bicycle photos

Some eccentric bicycles

Rent Bicycle

What bike should I get?

If you are a beginning off-road rider, you should be looking at a bike with front suspension only (called a hardtail), or even a rigid bike (with no susension fork). A good quality full suspension bike is too expensive to be a beginner bike. If you want the bike mainly for riding on paved surfaces a rigid bike is a better bet.

Repair your bicycle

Now that you have your new or used bicycle, you’re going to need to know some of the simple steps on how to repair a bicycle. Most bicycle repair is pretty straight forward, and with a little mechanical know-how to guide you through the process, you can make many of the repairs yourself.

Bicycle/Bike Chain Breaker Repair Tool Silver