| If I asked you what the most used transport in China is | | | | them (plus in the UK bikers do not require insurance, |
| you'd be forgiven for replying "The Bike". During my | | | | don't pay tax and there's no need to wear any safety |
| adolescence whenever China was discussed in the | | | | gear). |
| classroom we would see masses of cyclists clogging | | | | A growing quantity of special cycling paths have been |
| the streets on their bike. Just like the food in China is | | | | built in cities that lead directly from the suburbs into the |
| nothing like Chinese food the transport is no longer | | | | heart 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 is | | | | I keep a fold up bike in my car trunk I park outside of |
| generating huge wealth and the price of a car is no | | | | the city. This saves money on parking meters but |
| longer outside the reach of the ordinary metropolitan | | | | eliminates the frustration of locating a free parking |
| citizen. Their demand for CO2 producing gas has in a | | | | place or returning to discover a fine or wheel clamp |
| few short months out stripped the USA and they are | | | | too. |
| 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 obvious | | | | take the bike on the bus, shoot around town and then |
| that many Americans are ready to shoulder the | | | | ride back or if it's wet use the bus to return. |
| responsibility for much of the worlds decline and are | | | | This is one way that cycling is safe and if Europe, |
| pledging money to the cause and taking steps to | | | | USA 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 we | | | | convince the non cycling community of the benefits. |
| used lower carbon based fuel per person than our | | | | America may not be leading the battle against pollution |
| American counterparts. It was common belief that an | | | | but that doesn't mean they don't care. Twenty years |
| American would prefer to get in his motor vehicle than | | | | ago I went on hoilday to Eugene Oregon and the local |
| walk the short distance to the closest shop. To | | | | government had made it a bikers heavan. They spent |
| generalise is often dangerous and I have to confess, at | | | | money persuading locals to leave their cars at home. |
| least in Europe, this does appear to have become | | | | Cycle 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 include | | | | on a sunny Sunday afternoon there are more people |
| obesity and poor health through little exercise. It's ironic | | | | on 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 of | | | | neighbourhood 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. As | | | | of the many new work out at home fitness products. I |
| we are generalising; imagine the ordinary Chinese | | | | have a silent Trojan Stamina in the spare room in view |
| person in your mind, not local Chinese but the people | | | | of a TV. 30 minutes each day in the comfort of my |
| you see on TV who live there right now. Do you see | | | | own home and it cost less than $200, lower than the |
| someone unhealthy and obese or someone healthy | | | | price of an ordinary bike. |
| and trim? Chances are you see the latter. As they | | | | Whatever your goal, better health, better planet the |
| throw away their bicycles in favour of the family | | | | noble 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 for | | | | get somewhere for free too. |
| cars and it's just too dangerous to take bicycles on | | | | |