| If I asked you what the most used | | | | dangerous to take bicycles on them (plus |
| transport in China is you'd be forgiven | | | | in the UK bikers do not require |
| for replying "The Bike". During my | | | | insurance, don't pay tax and there's no |
| adolescence whenever China was discussed | | | | need to wear any safety gear). |
| in the classroom we would see masses of | | | | A growing quantity of special cycling |
| cyclists clogging the streets on their | | | | paths have been built in cities that |
| bike. Just like the food in China is | | | | lead directly from the suburbs into the |
| nothing like Chinese food the transport | | | | heart of town. These can be used to |
| is no longer jammed up with bicycles | | | | save time and money as well as keep you |
| either. | | | | healthy. |
| The growth of China's expanding economy | | | | I keep a fold up bike in my car trunk I |
| is generating huge wealth and the price | | | | park outside of the city. This saves |
| of a car is no longer outside the reach | | | | money on parking meters but eliminates |
| of the ordinary metropolitan citizen. | | | | the frustration of locating a free |
| Their demand for CO2 producing gas has | | | | parking place or returning to discover a |
| in a few short months out stripped the | | | | fine or wheel clamp too. |
| USA and they are now the largest | | | | I 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 close | | | | bus, shoot around town and then ride |
| it's obvious that many Americans are | | | | back or if it's wet use the bus to |
| ready to shoulder the responsibility for | | | | return. |
| much of the worlds decline and are | | | | This is one way that cycling is safe and |
| pledging money to the cause and taking | | | | if Europe, USA and hopefully China |
| steps to reduce their own pollution. | | | | really want to cut their pollution |
| Growing up in Europe it was common | | | | they're going to need to work hard to |
| knowledge we used lower carbon based | | | | convince the non cycling community of |
| fuel per person than our American | | | | the benefits. |
| counterparts. It was common belief that | | | | America may not be leading the battle |
| an American would prefer to get in his | | | | against pollution but that doesn't mean |
| motor vehicle than walk the short | | | | they don't care. Twenty years ago I |
| distance to the closest shop. To | | | | went on hoilday to Eugene Oregon and the |
| generalise is often dangerous and I have | | | | local government had made it a bikers |
| to confess, at least in Europe, this | | | | heavan. They spent money persuading |
| does appear to have become general | | | | locals to leave their cars at home. |
| practice. | | | | Cycle paths were built and although cars |
| The increasing health issues of the 21st | | | | were not castigated they were obviously |
| century include obesity and poor health | | | | mot encouraged and on a sunny Sunday |
| through little exercise. It's ironic to | | | | afternoon there are more people on their |
| listen to Al Gore, a fairly good | | | | bicycles than in their cars. |
| diplomat for the USA, warning us to | | | | If the weather hassles you or you live |
| avoid our motor vehicle in favour of | | | | in a neighbourhood where you would |
| {{{our|a} bike. What a strange world we | | | | rather not go out on a bike, go to your |
| inhabit. | | | | local sports authority and try out one |
| Equally strange is to observe the change | | | | of 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 in | | | | Stamina in the spare room in view of a |
| your mind, not local Chinese but the | | | | TV. 30 minutes each day in the comfort |
| people you see on TV who live there | | | | of 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 they | | | | Whatever your goal, better health, |
| throw away their bicycles in favour of | | | | better planet the noble bicycle is a |
| the family caravan is this likely to | | | | good choice, not only do you improve |
| change? | | | | your health, not only do you reduce |
| For years I avoided riding my bike. The | | | | pollution but you get somewhere for free |
| roads are for cars and it's just too | | | | too. |