Module 1 : Technology through history
Bicycle
From Motat museum
In the olden days, bicycles were large, heavy and unwieldy such as the penny farthing.
There are also cycling clubs and groups of cyclists can be seen riding together most days. There are major cycling events such as Round Taupo. Cycle touring is also popular. There is a national network of cycle ways being established. Many trails follow old railway lines as these typically have a shallow gradient. The first and most famous of these is the Otago Rail Trail (The New Zealand Cycle Trail, n.d.).
Bicycle
From Motat museum
A bicycle is an amazing piece of technology that has evolved
over the years. It is essentially human powered contraption consisting of a
metal frame and wheel(s). They are used for recreation, commuting, grocery
delivering, sports etc.
In the olden days, bicycles were large, heavy and unwieldy such as the penny farthing.
Penny farthings had one large wheel at the front and one
small wheel at the back. You can see people riding penny farthing today for
novelty.
Bikes were commonly used by workers to commute in the days
before extensive public transport and cars.
“Commercial” versions were used to deliver goods by butcher’s
and grocer’s boys.
They are still used as a main form of transport in such
places as India and China.
These days, the bicycle has adaptively radiated and
diversified. They are composite fibre/alloy and they have gears for efficient
pedaling i.e. High gear for more efficient pedaling uphill. They tend to be
light, small, aerodynamic e.g. aerobars. Aerobars are designed so that you lean
forward on the bike, making the system (bicycle + rider) more aerodynamic.
Modern day bikes these days tend to be specialised.
Road bikes are very light and have thin tyres with large
diameters so that one rotation of the pedals equals one rotation of the large
wheel i.e. a large distance travelled, hence they are very efficient for
travelling on smooth surface such as paved and tarred roads in cities.
Mountain bikes are still light compared to antique bikes but
are studier compared to road bikes. They have wide types to create friction to
grip the ground and a shock absorber system, the key to effective riding over
rough terrain such as dirt and mountain paths.
BMX bikes look similar to mountain bikes but unlike to
mountain bikes which are designed for rough terrain, BMX are designed for
performance and agility. They have smaller frames to allow the rider to better
control the bike which is important when performing stunts.
Track bikes are similar to road bikes. However they are
designed for maximum speed and power which is required for competitive racing
and gives little to no thought to the comfort of the rider.
Rickshaws are ‘bike taxis’ that are pedalled by people to
transport people. They are common in Asia.
Some bicycles are now electronic in which an electric motor that
pedals for you.
A commuter taxi
version common in Thailand is the tuk tuk
In New Zealand bikes are not
extensively used for commuting. It is the lowest form of transport used
according to the 2006 Census (Statistics New Zealand, n.d.). This is due to a
combination of factors that includes the climate (wet, windy), the terrain
(hilly and winding roads with poor surfaces) and the dangers (a combination of
climate, terrain and other road users). Cycling paths and lanes are starting to
be developed down major corridors and alongside new roading projects. The New
Zealand Transport Agency is being increasingly involved (NZTA, n.d.)
Initiatives to increase the number
of people using cycles to commute and to increase the awareness of cycling
include the annual cycle to work day. (Auckland Transport, n.d.)
There are also cycling clubs and groups of cyclists can be seen riding together most days. There are major cycling events such as Round Taupo. Cycle touring is also popular. There is a national network of cycle ways being established. Many trails follow old railway lines as these typically have a shallow gradient. The first and most famous of these is the Otago Rail Trail (The New Zealand Cycle Trail, n.d.).
Cycle technology had improved a
long way. Cycles have now been adapted and specialised for a variety of
purposes including transport and recreation. While cycling is no longer the
main form of transport for countries in the developed world it is having a
comeback, as people realise that they need to be fitter in a world that sees
them increasingly reliant of sitting behind a desk or computer in sedentary
jobs. As city traffic becomes gridlocked cycle commuting offers benefits. It is
also successful in ecotourism. The great NZ cycle trail is part of this
initiative.
References:
Auckland
Transport (n.d.) Accessed from
https://www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz/moving-around/workplace-travel-plans/cycling-to-work-and-study/Pages/default.aspx. 19 August 2013
Statistics New Zealand (n.d.) Commuting patterns in-NZ: 1996-2006.
Accessed from
The New Zealand Cycle Trail (n.d.)
New Zealand’s Original Great Ride. Accessed from http://www.nzcycletrail.com/otago-central-rail-trail 21 August
2013
