| If I asked you what the most used transport | | | | the UK bikers do not require insurance, don't |
| in China is you'd be forgiven for replying | | | | pay tax and there's no need to wear any |
| "The Bike". During my adolescence whenever | | | | safety gear). |
| China was discussed in the classroom we would | | | | |
| see masses of cyclists clogging the streets | | | | A growing quantity of special cycling paths |
| on their bike. Just like the food in China | | | | have been built in cities that lead directly |
| is nothing like Chinese food the transport is | | | | from the suburbs into the heart of town. |
| no longer jammed up with bicycles either. | | | | These can be used to save time and money as |
| | | | well as keep you healthy. |
| The growth of China's expanding economy is | | | | |
| generating huge wealth and the price of a car | | | | I keep a fold up bike in my car trunk I park |
| is no longer outside the reach of the | | | | outside of the city. This saves money on |
| ordinary metropolitan citizen. Their demand | | | | parking meters but eliminates the frustration |
| for CO2 producing gas has in a few short | | | | of locating a free parking place or returning |
| months out stripped the USA and they are now | | | | to discover a fine or wheel clamp too. |
| the largest polluters on the planet. | | | | |
| | | | I prefer to find a Park and Rideif the city |
| As Al Gore's Live Earth comes to a close it's | | | | has one. I take the bike on the bus, shoot |
| obvious that many Americans are ready to | | | | around town and then ride back or if it's wet |
| shoulder the responsibility for much of the | | | | use the bus to return. |
| worlds decline and are pledging money to the | | | | |
| cause and taking steps to reduce their own | | | | This is one way that cycling is safe and if |
| pollution. | | | | Europe, USA and hopefully China really want |
| | | | to cut their pollution they're going to need |
| Growing up in Europe it was common knowledge | | | | to work hard to convince the non cycling |
| we used lower carbon based fuel per person | | | | community of the benefits. |
| than our American counterparts. It was | | | | |
| common belief that an American would prefer | | | | America may not be leading the battle against |
| to get in his motor vehicle than walk the | | | | pollution but that doesn't mean they don't |
| short distance to the closest shop. To | | | | care. Twenty years ago I went on hoilday to |
| generalise is often dangerous and I have to | | | | Eugene Oregon and the local government had |
| confess, at least in Europe, this does appear | | | | made it a bikers heavan. They spent money |
| to have become general practice. | | | | persuading locals to leave their cars at |
| | | | home. Cycle paths were built and although |
| The increasing health issues of the 21st | | | | cars 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 diplomat for | | | | bicycles than in their cars. |
| the USA, warning us to avoid our motor | | | | |
| vehicle in favour of {{{our|a} bike. What a | | | | If the weather hassles you or you live in a |
| strange world we inhabit. | | | | neighbourhood where you would rather not go |
| | | | out on a bike, go to your local sports |
| Equally strange is to observe the change in | | | | authority and try out one of the many new |
| China. As we are generalising; imagine the | | | | work out at home fitness products. I have a |
| ordinary Chinese person in your mind, not | | | | silent Trojan Stamina in the spare room in |
| local Chinese but the people you see on TV | | | | view of a TV. 30 minutes each day in the |
| who live there right now. Do you see someone | | | | comfort of my own home and it cost less than |
| unhealthy and obese or someone healthy and | | | | $200, lower than the price of an ordinary |
| trim? Chances are you see the latter. As | | | | bike. |
| they throw away their bicycles in favour of | | | | |
| the family caravan is this likely to change? | | | | Whatever your goal, better health, better |
| | | | planet the noble bicycle is a good choice, |
| For years I avoided riding my bike. The | | | | not only do you improve your health, not only |
| roads are for cars and it's just too | | | | do you reduce pollution but you get somewhere |
| dangerous to take bicycles on them (plus in | | | | for free too. |