Oh no! Cars!
And Bikes Today
Inexpensive cars began to appear as early as 1901. People began to stop using bicycles! Because the sales were dropping people began to lose interest in trying to improve and redesign bikes. The ones that were used in 1970 were almost the same as the ones in 1900! But in Europe it was a much different situation. Because gas had to be imported and was very expensive they still used bicycles every day. European manufacturers kept on trying to improve the bicycle. Their main goal was to make it lighter. There are many mountain rages throughout Europe and to help the riders that ride through there the manufacturers tried to make the wheels and frames as thin and light as possible. Gearing was also developed. Next the braking system was improved. Coaster brakes stopped the wheel instantly but also often caused the wheel to skid. This wore out the wheels very quickly. But the Calliper brake system solved the problem. Two soft rubber pads attached to metal fingers squeezed the front and back wheel when the handle was squeezed. This slowed down the bike but did not cause any skidding. By adding brakes to both the front and the back wheels the Calliper stopped the bike as fast as the coaster brake.
In
the 1970’s bicycles began to come back after being put away for cars for a
long time. Gas prices were getting
high and gas shortages made long lines as gas stations.
It was once again easier and less expensive to pedal to work or to the
store. Also they were beginning to
be used as exercise. Road racing,
long distance, just for fun. Unicycles,
BMX and Mountain bikes. 
Exercise
machines and dirt bikes. Today
bicycles are used often in North America and in Europe.
