April Fools

The most common recumbent bike has you sitting back with your feet forward. This position is very efficient and comfortable. They are great bikes and I've wondered why there aren't more of them.

On April 1st 1934 the Union Cycliste International - governing body for bicycle racing - outlawed the use of recumbent bicycles (bents) in sanctioned bicycle races due to traditional bicycle makers lobbying the Union in order to protect their interests. During the previous year most cycling records had been beaten by riders on recumbent bikes.

It's about time to change the restrictions on bike design for racing. Established bicycle manufacturers and retailers would welcome the opportunity to bring new product to market. Let's go faster. Let's get more of these wonderful bikes on the road. Once recumbents are back in the mainstream racing scene the research and improvements will begin in earnest and all these improvements will trickle down to you and I.