Bicycle! Bicycle! I want to ride my bicycle!!

It is time to celebrate National Bicycle Month!

Bikes have experienced drastic changes over time. The first bikes, like the ones called “push bikes” invented by Karl Von Drais and introduced to the public for the first time in 1817, were made out of wood and didn’t have pedals or chains. Several inventors, mostly from Europe modified this bicycle during the 1800’s, adding chain-drive transmission, pedals, rubber wheels, and also changing its design by trying different sizes of tires and materials to manufacture them.

Today, high technology is used in the design of bikes. Bikes can be as light as a feather and come in different styles depending on the interest of the rider. Riders can choose from road bikes, mountain bikes, recumbent bikes, and even tandem bikes for those who want to share the biking experience with someone else at the same time.

Austin has been designated as a bicycle friendly community by the League of American Bicyclists and the City of Austin Bicycle and Pedestrian Program has lots of events for you to enjoy this month. Check out these activities! By the way, this Friday May 15 will be a Bike2work day nationwide. So, this is the perfect time to dust off that bike that is hanging in the garage and bike away!

If you are a bike enthusiast don’t forget to sample the magazines the library offers:

Bicycling
Southwest cycling news
BMX plus

Some titles you might find interesting are:
Bicycle repair manual

Bike, scooter, and chopper projects for the evil genius

The Bicycling guide to complete bicycle maintenance & repair : for road & mountain bikes

Every woman's guide to cycling : everything you need to know, from buying your first bike to winning your first race

The Chainbreaker bike book : a rough guide to bicycle maintenance / by Ethan Clark and Shelley Lynn Jackson

And don't forget Il Giro D'Italia is on right now, enjoy!!