In 2012 the US Post Office will release a series of stamps that celebrate bicycling. Each of the four stamps features a different kind of bicycle and rider: a young child just learning to ride with training wheels, a commuter pedaling to work, a road racer intent on the finish line, and an airborne BMX rider.

Recent surveys indicate that Americans enjoy approximately 2.5 billion bike rides a year. Bicycling organizations around the country report increased participation in local biking activities, and nearly half of all Americans say they would like more bicycling resources, such as trails and bike lanes, in their communities.
Bicycling is a low-impact aerobic activity that just about everyone — from young children to retirees — can enjoy. The health benefits are impressive: Riding a bike lowers the risk of obesity and heart disease, while improving muscle tone and strength. Bicycling can also lower stress. Whether riding along a lakeside path or through the bike lanes of a bustling city, bicycling is therapeutic and just plain fun.
Art director Phil Jordan designed the stamps using illustrations by John Mattos.