Result and Discussion
B. Functions of Cycling
1. Western
In early centuries, bicycles mean transportation tool. They often used to deliver milks, mails, newspaper, and so on. So far, the definition of bicycles has lots of change. It extends to be a word “cycling”. Cycling means people travel some pleases by bicycle. Going cycling is the main activity. Besides, cyclist can be divided into two parts. One is the holiday cyclers which mean people go cycling for holidays. They can choose the route they are interested and cycle on more than one location. The other is short-break cyclers which mean people go cycling for each day of their rest. They can travel spectacular sites with their family and friends. In addition, they often take part in the cycling group.
They enjoy going cycling because of some reasons. They consider that cycling is the best to be energetic, save much money to travel other positions by plane and cars, and protect our earth because of reducing to use oil. Moreover, riding bicycle has a great deal of benefit for people. Cycling can strengthen people’s muscle, weaken the opportunity of getting disease, blood pressure, and have the well-being. Even, it can under control their weight. In western, now, cycling still has a number of functions like all above.
2. Eastern
In early period, bicycles were used to transport some goods or just were as transportation tool to go there and back in short distance. In contrast, nowadays, bicycles bring different functions for cyclers. In 2008, the oil cost much money than before so that people became want to ride bicycles instead of take cars and motorcycles. Some people started to ride bicycles to save the cost of oil. Then, the bicycles are related to the sports, recreation, and leisure. A great deal of people has enthusiasm for bicycling. They consider that riding bicycles have many amusement of life. For instance, in summer, although they go cycling to the mountains which need lots of sweat and effort, they can have a sense of achievement because of reaching the top of mountains. Next, as they go cycling, they can catch a variety of scenery, directly get closer the nature, and enjoy the breeze. Even, if they are attracted by splendid scene, they can stop to see and enjoy the moment. They even can observe some species, ancient buildings, or different cultural people. Don’t you feel that they are getting closer the land or “taste” the nature by cycling?
In addition, when they go cycling at the first time, they would like to achieve their program by themselves. Yet, once they find that they very interested in cycling, they really desire to go cycling with people who have the same entertainment and speed. Moreover, after they realize clearly their companions whose vigor and fond route, they can go further to form a cycling of tour. Still, having their companion, they also maintain their companionship and exchange their thoughts about cycling by holding the regular activities of cycling.
Also, cycling is a kind of enjoyment of freedom. We can go cycling everywhere once we have enough energy to ride bicycles. Unlike, people go mountain climbing need to consider the time when they can get on the transportation. Cycling doesn’t be limited by time and places. They just follow their project to finish their cycling.
The function of Western and Eastern are similar. Then, they still have a little difference. In Western, cycling seems a kind of exercise activity. They emphasize on health. On the contrast, in the Eastern, cycling seems a kind of traveling activity. They emphasize on the freedom and nature. We regard that people in Taiwan are much closer to the nature than western. They are fond of the breath of the nature. On the contrary, the western prefer to keep their shape and more attention to their ability of exercise.
Bibliography:
1. Wikipedia. Cycling. (2009). Available:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling
2. Available:
http://www.onecaribbean.org/content/files/CyclingCaribbeanNicheMarkets.pdf
3. Cycling Western Australia Website. Available:
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