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If I asked you what the most used method of transport in China is you’d be forgiven for replying “The Bike”. During my adolescence whenever China was mentioned in the classroom we would see hoards of folk clogging the streets on their bicycle. Just like the food in China is nothing like Chinese food the transport system is no longer clogged up with bicycles either. The profit of China’s advancing economy is generating huge wealth and the price of a car is no longer outside the reach of the ordinary city dweller. Their demand 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 a close it’s obvious that many Americans are ready to shoulder the responsibility for much of the worlds decline and are pledging money to the cause and taking steps to reduce their own pollution. Growing up in the UK it was common knowledge we used lower carbon based fuel per person than our US cousins. It was well known that an American would prefer to get in his motor vehicle than walk the small 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 growing health issues of the 21st century include obesity and poor health through need for exercise. It’s ironic to listen to Al Gore, a good diplomat for the USA, warning us to avoid our motor vehicle in favour of {{{our|a} bicycle. I never thought I would hear that. Equally strange is to observe the change in China. As we are generalising; consider the ordinary Chinese person in your mind, not local Chinese but the people you see on TV who live there right now. Do you envisage someone unhealthy and obese or someone looking healthy and not overweight? Chances are you see the latter. As they throw away their bicycles in favour of the family caravan is this likely to change? For years I avoided riding my bicycle. The roads are for motor vehicles and it’s too dangerous to take bicycles on them (plus in some parts of Europe cyclists do not require insurance, don’t pay tax and there’s no requirement to wear any safety gear). A growing number of designated cycling paths have appeared in towns that lead directly from the out skirts into the heart of town. These can be used to save time and money as well as keep you healthy. With a collapsible bicycle in my car boot I park outside of town. This saves money on parking meters but eliminates the frustration of finding an available parking place or returning to discover a fine or wheel clamp too. I prefer to locate a Park and Ride. I take the bicycle on the bus, scoot around town and then ride back or if it's raining use the bus to return. This is one way that cycling is safe and if the UK, USA and with luck China want to abridge their pollution they’re going to need to work hard to demonstrate the motorist 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 government had turned it into a bikers paradise. The local authority invested in persuading citizens to leave the cars at home. Cycle ways were carefully maintained and although motor vehicles weren’t castigated they were clearly discouraged and on a sunny Sunday afternoon there are more families on their bicycles than in their cars. If the weather annoys you or you live in a location where you would prefer not go out on a bike, get down to your local sports authority and try out one of the new stay in home fitness products. I have a silent Trojan Stamina in the back room in view of a TV. Half an hour a day in the comfort of my own home and it cost less than $200, much lower than the price of the average bicycle. Whatever your goal, better health, better planet the humble bicycle is the best choice, not only do you improve your fitness, not only do you reduce pollution but you get somewhere too.
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About the Article Author
John Walker is a self confessed weekend cyclist and authors for Bicycle Parts & Info.
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