On your Bike, your Health May Depend on it

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