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Bicycles TodayIn some Western societies, after World War II the bicycle was largely relegated to a device for children, particularly in the United States. In some western countries, most notably Northern European ones such as the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark, bicycle use for transportation remained fairly common.
Interest has gradually returned elsewhere, mostly as a fitness activity, hobby, and competitive sport. More and more people are also using the bicycle as a short-range transportation tool, particularly in large, densely populated cities where slow vehicle traffic, high registration and parking costs, and environmental concerns have made commuting by automobile less attractive. This trend has been accelerated by the process of "gentrification" of the inner suburbs of many cities. Many cities are now providing cyclist-only lanes on roads, as well as cycle trails, for both commuting and hobbyist cyclists. The bicycle remains a primary means of personal transportation in many developing countries. The image of Asian cities clogged with bicycles is a common stereotype, though as they become wealthier it is becoming less popular. According to the magazine, The Economist, one of the major reasons for the proliferation of Chinese-made bicycles on foreign markets is the increasing preference of its own citizens for cars and motorcycles. Shanghai, a city once famous for its dominant bicycle transportation, banned bicycle travel on its roads in December, 2003. Urban bicycle transportation and automobile transportation seem to be mutually antagonistic. Between the two, the growth of one form of transportation seems to be related to a decline of the other. Cyclists and automobile drivers make different sorts of demands on urban design. Since urban space and resources are limited, conflict occurs--in politics and on the streets Cycle paths are often found in cites with an Auto-free zone , or with vast park systems, but even dedicated paths where motorized vehicles are forbidden often have to be shared with inline skaters, push scooters, skateboard enthusiasts and wayward pedestrians. Other transportation methods attempt to accommodate the local use of bicycles by providing attachment points on busses, trains, etc. To cope with frequent theft, many destinations provide bike racks or lockable bike mini-garages.
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Bicycle" and from http://www.treadly.com
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