On your bike, your wealth may depend on it

By: John Walker

If I asked you what the main transport in China is you’d be forgiven for answering “The Bicycle”. During my childhood whenever China was mentioned in the classroom we would see hoards of folk clogging the streets on their bike. Just like the food in China is nothing like Chinese food the transport system is no longer jammed up with bikes either.

The profit of China’s advancing economy is generating huge wealth and the price of a vehicle is no longer outside the reach of the ordinary city dweller. Their insatiable desire for CO2 producing fuel has in a few short months deposed the USA and they are now the largest polluters on the planet.

As Al Gore’s Live Earth comes to an end it’s clear that many Americans are ready to shoulder the responsibility for much of the worlds decline and are not only pledging money to the cause and taking steps to reduce their own carbon footprint.

Growing up in the UK it was folklore we consumed lower carbon based fuel per capita than our US cousins. It was well known that an American would prefer to get in his car than walk the short distance to the nearest shop. To generalise is often dangerous and I have to admit, at least in the UK, this does appear to have become general practice.

The increasing health issues of the 21st century include obesity and poor health through need for exercise. It’s ironic to hear Al Gore, a fairly good representative for the USA, telling us to avoid our car in favour of {{{our|a} bike. What a changing world we inhabit.

Equally odd is to watch the change in China. As we are generalising; think of the ordinary Chinese person in your mind, not local Chinese but the people you see on TV who live in China right now. Do you envisage someone unhealthy and fat or someone healthy and not overweight? Chances are you see the latter. As they throw away their bikes in favour of the family caravan is this likely to change?

For years I avoided riding my bike. The roads are for cars and it’s just too dangerous to take bikes on them (plus in some parts of Europe bikers do not need insurance, don’t pay road tax and there’s no need to wear any safety gear).

A growing quantity of designated cycling tracks have been built in new cities that go directly from the suburbs into the heart of town. These can save time and money as well as keep you healthy.

With a collapsible bike in my car trunk I park outside of the city. This not only saves money on parking fees but eliminates the hassle of locating a free parking place or returning to find a fine or wheel clamp too.

I prefer to locate a Park and Ride. I take the cycle on the bus, scoot around town and then cycle back or if it's wet use the bus to get back.

This is one way that cycling is safe and if the UK, USA and hopefully China really want to abridge their carbon footprint they’re going to need to work hard to assure the community of the benefits.

America may not be at the forefront the fight against pollution but that doesn’t mean they don’t care. Twenty years ago I went on hoilday to Eugene Oregon and the local authorities had made it a bikers paradise. The local authority spent money persuading people to leave the cars at home. Cycle ways were built and although cars weren’t penalized they were clearly mot encouraged and on a sunny Sunday there are more people on their bikes than in their motor cars.

If the weather bothers you or you live in a neighbourhood where you would rather not ride a bike, go to your nearest sports shop and try one of the many new stay in home machines. I have a silent Trojan Stamina in the spare room in view of a TV. 30 minutes each day in the comfort of my own home and it cost less than $200, lower than the price of the average bike.

Whatever your goal, better health, better planet the humble bicycle is the best option, not only do you improve your health, not only do you reduce your carbon footprint but you get somewhere for free too.

Article Source: http://articleblender.com

John enjoys weekend cycling and authors for Bicycle Parts & Info.

Please Rate this Article

Not yet Rated