One of the fondest memories as children is receiving a red tricycle at Christmas. Complete with a horn and tassels, some of you probably still have the bike at home and have repainted and fixed it up for your kids. Well, believe it or not, there are over a billion bicycles in the world today. Whether used for pleasure, or getting around in a metropolis, there are different types of bicycles which are used for a variety of reasons.

Why types of bicycles are there? Well, there are your regular bicycles used for pleasure and/or commuting. Mountain bikes used for off-road use, racing bicycles such as the ones used in the Tour de France, indoor track bicycles which you may have seen in the Olympics, bikes used for messenger service, touring bicycles which have the capacity to hold bags and other travel accessories, stunt bikes, as well as the old-fashioned tandem bikes that hold two riders. There are even tri-cycles that can accommodate three riders.

In China, for example, bicycles are their main form of transportation. In fact, China also has touring bikes or bicycle rickshaws which have carts attached suitable for one or two passengers. Wherever you find a large city that is congested with cars and trucks, you will find bike lanes. These help to alleviate traffic and allow those who do not wish to drive to use these lanes in order to facilitate getting from point A to point B in due course.

You may have also seen tricycles and unicycles in immense proportions that are used in circuses and county fairs. There is also a bicycle in which the rider can lean back with legs forward to man the pedals. These are called recumbent bikes, which also allow for a second passenger to ride in back.

In addition, there is the traditional stationary bicycle primarily used for home or gym exercise. You may have also seen the motorcross bicycles which are used in competitions. These encompass jumping on and off ramps, allowing for free wheel turns, and other death-defying feats.

While the types of bicycles originally produced were primarily for pleasure and transportation, the emergence of bike sports has given way to more advanced types of bicycles which can perform a series of moves by experienced bicyclists.

Also new to the world of bicycles is the electric bike. With speeds of two to twenty miles an hour, these electric bicycles are known as e-bikes and have a power system installed on a regular bicycle. Unique and stylish, the electric bikes’ power comes from a throttle on the handlebar or initiate power when you pedal. This is just one more technological advance in bike enhancement.

If you own a bike, as most people do, and want to rev it up a notch, you may wish to check out these types of bicycles online. They are a fascinating and innovative achievement which has taken the traditional bicycle and added a new level of excitement for bike riders.