Biking,
also known as bicycling or cycling, involves the use of bicycles
for transport, recreation, or for sport. Today, there are more than 1
billion bicycles in use worldwide. The more common types include
utility bicycles, mountain bicycles, racing bicycles, touring
bicycles, hybrid bicycles, cruising bicycles, and BMX
Bikes. You can also find tandem bicycles, low-riders, folding
models, ergonomic recumbent bikes, and 'smart' bikes.
| According
to CEO Arnold Kamler of Kent
International, by the end of 2016 over 500,000 bikes should be
rolling off their new
assembly
line in Clarendon
County, South
Carolina.
Kent’s bicycles will be the first US-made bikes sold in Wal-Mart
stores in more than 15 years. The company is also a major supplier
to Toys R Us, Amazon, and Academy Sporting Goods. They recently announced plans to open a new manufacturing facilty in Summerton, SC. |
'Smart'
Bikes
The
world of biking is changing! If you are interested in taking up
biking, you might want to look into the emerging world of 'smart'
bikes. There have been some amazing advances in the past few years.
For example, check out the following articles on the subject:
Ampler
e-bikes
look just like bicycles
on the outside, but …
- Ampler's e-Bikes
conceal a smart electric drive system stealthily
hidden within the aluminum frame of
the bike. Its lithium-ion
battery pack is said to take just three hours for a full charge and
delivers
an average range of about 43 miles,
while the motor enables the rider to boost their speed to about 15
mph. An
app also offers an estimated range display, a navigation maps
option, the ability to receive and apply software
updates
to the bike's electronics, and
more.
Livall,
Maker of Smart
and Safe Bicycle
Systems
- Advanced
helmets, bikes, and accessories from
Livall, the leading designer and producer of smart bicycle riding
systems. They have developed wearable
technology solutions
to
improve safety and
provide communication
technology
deliver helpful
information to
riders. At the heart of their
smart riding system is the Livall Bling series of helmets that
feature a built-in Bluetooth windproof microphone and speakers.
With
the press of a button, riders can take
phone calls,
listen to music, initiate a walkie-talkie chat with fellow cyclists,
or snap photos.
LeEco
Smart
Bike
Has 4GB RAM and runs on Android
- Part mountain bike and part mobile
smartphone
that
you can actually
ride
across country. Nestled
between the handlebars is what appears to be a small phone with
camera. The handlebars have built-in indicator lights similar to
ones on a car. You will also find buttons in the handlebar for
controlling music on the built-in phone. At night, a red laser
shines on the ground on your left and right side of the bike to give
closing car drivers a warning of the safe distance to keep away from
the bicycle.
SpeedX's
'smart'
road bikes
- The
SpeedX Leopard and Leopard Pro ‘smart’ road bikes from
China
feature composite frames with full internal cable routing,
drive-trains, carbon wheels, and a variation of their
SpeedForce stem, called ‘Smart Control’.
Best Bike Technology & Cycling Gadgets 2019 - An influx of innovations making cycling safer, easier and more fun, people are cycling around more than ever before.
Examples
of 'Smart Bike' Accessories
-
GeoOrbital
Wheel replaces a standard front wheel in under 60 seconds,
immediately turning it into an electric bike (e-Bike).
Simply clip its thumb activated throttle onto your handlebar, and
you’re set up.
-
ShareRoller
portable motor is
a 7-pound
unit that
mounts
onto a
docking
station
above the front wheel. It installs in less than 10 seconds and can
boost a rider to 18 mph without pedaling for up
to 20
miles.
-
Fontus
water bottle is a self-contained system that generates its own
water. It attaches to the bike frame and captures air during motion,
then sends it through a solar-powered cooling device that extracts
moisture and funnels it into a detachable water bottle.
-
Sense
ICON,
is a lightweight USB-rechargeable bicycle LED lamp that
also incorporates a
set of sensors that includes accelerometer, temperature gauge,
ambient light detection, and Bluetooth connectivity to a
sophisticated
smartphone
app.
-
Valour
VanHawks has an amazing
feature with
the ability
to sense what’s around your
bike.
Using a set of proximity sensors, it
will
alert you via haptic feedback signals delivered to the handlebars.
It vibrates when there’s a car or another bike coming up behind
you.
-
Solar
Bike Wheels - A
new solar-powered
e-Bike
doesn’t even
need
to be plugged in. It has solar cells built into both wheels and
these recharge when the bike is idle. According to the inventor, it
has a 40-mile range and can travel up to 30 mph.
-
Connected
Cycle has built a smart bike pedal equipped with Bluetooth,
GPS
and GPRS sensors. As soon as you start pedaling, the sensors
activate and track your movement, speed and route.
Just
a few of the many other
'smart'
bicycle accessories that have hit the market include foldable
bike helmets,
air-bag helmets, puncture
resistant tires, and
smart
bicycle
locks
and
alarms.
Spreading
the word about Bike
Share in the US
-
Bike sharing companies are now springing up in many cities across
the country. They allow bikers to rent and reserve
a bicycle online using
a mobile app. Using
an
RFID dongle they
automatically unlock the
bike from
its
secure docking
station.
While in use, a GPS unit in the bike pings off a satellite every
few
seconds, sending critical data to the bike share back-end system.
It allows the company to track its bikes, builds
rider profile, and
provides a range of helpful information to users.
|
Next
Generation 'Smart Bike' Features
As
for me, I look forward to some of the many other 'next generation'
smart bike features that may be in the pipeline, such as:
-
Smart
seats that massage your butt and back
-
Smart
wheels with built in springs for a smoother ride
-
Real
time weather alert app
-
Pop-up
umbrella and/or shade
-
Autonomous
self-driving bikes
-
Built-in
balancing technology
-
Smart
finger print activated lock and starters
-
Built
in solar powered cooler and hot plate
-
Solar
powered mini-heater
-
Smart
wearable cycling togs
-
Rack
for gun and/or fishing pole
Finally,
whether
you are ride a 'smart bike' or an older traditional bicycle, when
you visit Summerton,
Santee,
and nearby Lake
Marion, you will find many nature trails and back roads to ride
as you explore the wildlife and historical sites throughout the
region. Some of these include:
Selected
Resources
