Bicycles give a lot of kids their first taste of freedom. Bikes let them travel alone farther and faster than ever before. In fact, most of the estimated 66 million bicycles in the U.S. today are for kids.
Many kids and adults ride bikes for fun, but they are also great for getting in shape and getting around. In poorer countries, they’re important for transportation. About 80 percent of all bikes are in such countries. Taking away bikes from China would be like taking away cars from the United States.
Whether used for fun or for transport, bicycles are the best low-tech way for people to get around. They have also changed fashions, won battles, and created new sports. They even helped launch the first airplane! It’s no wonder the bike is the most popular vehicle on Earth.