Would you say bicycles are suitable for people of all ages?

Absolutely. Anyone with the basic motor, balance and cognitive skills needed to ride a bike can do so and will probably benefit from it. Even if you start slow with very short rides, there are plenty of physical and mental health benefits for doing so. In fact, since cycling puts less strain on your joints and tendons, biking may be better exercise for the elderly than walking or jogging. (It's more fun too.) Here are a couple of articles about some extreme cases: 1) A 112 year old cyclist: http://www.greateventcompany.com/topic.php?a=15&b=142 2) A man who weighed more than 550 pounds and literally saved his life through cycling: http://www.wisn.com/news/13219653/detail.html (There was a recent profile of this guy in Bicycling Magazine but I can't seem to find it online.) 3) Some elderly touring cyclists in China: http://english.sina.com/p/1/2008/0306/149015.html One resource to get you started (assuming you are or are trying to help a senior start riding): http://www.bicyclinginfo.org/education/seniors.cfm Also, note there are many different kinds of bicycles beyond the ones you typically see. For an senior rider just getting started you may want to look into these. * If you're looking for a typical two-wheel upright "wedgie" bike, look for "comfort" or "cruiser" bikes with north road or high rise bars. These allow you the rider to sit in a comfortable, upright position. * If riding a traditional bike is uncomfortable, consider a recumbent bike. These have a seat with a backrest and use a posture that is easy on the back. (http://images.google.com/images?q=recumbent) * If balance is a concern, there are many three and four wheel recumbents, as well as "utility" tricycles (http://images.google.com/images?q=adult+tricycle) * If strength and stamina are a concern, look into strength-assisted bikes with an electric motor. You can ride these more or less like regular bikes, but they use an electric motor while you are pedalling to help you turn the wheel. Here's one short list of electric bikes: http://www.brightspoke.com/s?bike_type=electric You can even buy them at Target: http://www.target.com/b/ref=pd_sim_cat_1_4?ie=UTF8&node=16377801.

I am 70 and still ride. Recently with my daughter I rode from Washington, DC to Mount Vernon, Va. in the middle of the summer. On that ride I met people who were older than I am. Last summer on the "Tour de Bob" on Mackinac Island my five old grandson rode 8.2 miles around the island. Age is just a number.

Age is irrelevant - as long as they have the necessary motor function and cognitive ability. I plan on continuing riding when I am 100!

yes i would

Absolutely. Cycling helps more elderly people to maintain cognitive skills as well as their fitness. And the very young can ride in a child seat.

In general yes. If they are healthy enough, why not.