many people now consider the bicycle as a means of transport

泛指一类事物、东西（可数）,有3种方法a+名词单数形式the+名词单数形式或名词复数形式此处,除了 the bicycle 外,还可以用a bicyc,或bicycles,当然由于主语为many people,用a就好像不妥。所以,此处是泛指某一类。