Cyclings

Cyclings, commonly referred to as cycling, encompasses the use of bicycles for transportation, sport, and recreation. It includes a range of practices from casual riding and commuting to competitive racing, and may involve bicycles, unicycles, or tandem configurations.

Disciplines include road cycling, track cycling, cyclo-cross, mountain biking, BMX, and urban or commuter cycling, as well as newer formats such as gravel racing and indoor cycling.

Typical equipment comprises a bicycle appropriate to the discipline, protective gear such as a helmet, suitable clothing, and sometimes shoes with cleats.

Bicycles were developed in the 19th century, with early models like the velocipede and the safety bicycle popularized in the 1870s–1880s. Road racing grew in the late 19th century, and the Tour de France began in 1903 as a premier event. The sport is now governed internationally by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), with professional teams and national federations.

Safety and infrastructure considerations include road sharing, lighting, signaling, and helmet use. Cycling is associated with health benefits and is an environmentally friendly mode of transport due to low emissions. The activity has a global community that includes clubs, events, and urban planning efforts aimed at improving safety and accessibility for riders.