Explore the world of bicycles


On your Bike, your Health May Depend on it

If I asked you what the most useddangerous to take bicycles on them (plus
transport in China is you'd be forgivenin the UK bikers do not require
for replying "The Bike". During myinsurance, don't pay tax and there's no
adolescence whenever China was discussedneed to wear any safety gear).
in the classroom we would see masses ofA growing quantity of special cycling
cyclists clogging the streets on theirpaths have been built in cities that
bike. Just like the food in China islead directly from the suburbs into the
nothing like Chinese food the transportheart of town. These can be used to
is no longer jammed up with bicyclessave time and money as well as keep you
either.healthy.
The growth of China's expanding economyI keep a fold up bike in my car trunk I
is generating huge wealth and the pricepark outside of the city. This saves
of a car is no longer outside the reachmoney on parking meters but eliminates
of the ordinary metropolitan citizen.the frustration of locating a free
Their demand for CO2 producing gas hasparking place or returning to discover a
in a few short months out stripped thefine or wheel clamp too.
USA and they are now the largestI prefer to find a Park and Rideif the
polluters on the planet.city has one. I take the bike on the
As Al Gore's Live Earth comes to a closebus, shoot around town and then ride
it's obvious that many Americans areback or if it's wet use the bus to
ready to shoulder the responsibility forreturn.
much of the worlds decline and areThis is one way that cycling is safe and
pledging money to the cause and takingif Europe, USA and hopefully China
steps to reduce their own pollution.really want to cut their pollution
Growing up in Europe it was commonthey're going to need to work hard to
knowledge we used lower carbon basedconvince the non cycling community of
fuel per person than our Americanthe benefits.
counterparts. It was common belief thatAmerica may not be leading the battle
an American would prefer to get in hisagainst pollution but that doesn't mean
motor vehicle than walk the shortthey don't care. Twenty years ago I
distance to the closest shop. Towent on hoilday to Eugene Oregon and the
generalise is often dangerous and I havelocal government had made it a bikers
to confess, at least in Europe, thisheavan. They spent money persuading
does appear to have become generallocals to leave their cars at home.
practice.Cycle paths were built and although cars
The increasing health issues of the 21stwere not castigated they were obviously
century include obesity and poor healthmot encouraged and on a sunny Sunday
through little exercise. It's ironic toafternoon there are more people on their
listen to Al Gore, a fairly goodbicycles than in their cars.
diplomat for the USA, warning us toIf the weather hassles you or you live
avoid our motor vehicle in favour ofin a neighbourhood where you would
{{{our|a} bike. What a strange world werather not go out on a bike, go to your
inhabit.local sports authority and try out one
Equally strange is to observe the changeof the many new work out at home fitness
in China. As we are generalising;products. I have a silent Trojan
imagine the ordinary Chinese person inStamina in the spare room in view of a
your mind, not local Chinese but theTV. 30 minutes each day in the comfort
people you see on TV who live thereof my own home and it cost less than
right now. Do you see someone unhealthy$200, lower than the price of an
and obese or someone healthy and trim?ordinary bike.
Chances are you see the latter. As theyWhatever your goal, better health,
throw away their bicycles in favour ofbetter planet the noble bicycle is a
the family caravan is this likely togood choice, not only do you improve
change?your health, not only do you reduce
For years I avoided riding my bike. Thepollution but you get somewhere for free
roads are for cars and it's just tootoo.



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