A Bike Will Increase Your Wealth As Well As Your Health

If I asked you what the main method of transport in China is you’d be forgiven for answering “The Bike”. During my adolescence whenever China was mentioned in school we would see hoards of people crowding the streets on their bicycle. Just like the food in China is nothing like Chinese food the transport is no longer clogged up with bikes either.

The profit of China’s advancing economy is generating huge wealth and the cost of a vehicle is no longer outside the budget of the ordinary city dweller. Indeed their insatiable desire for CO2 producing gas has in a few short months out stripped the USA and they are now the largest polluters on the planet.

As Al Gore’s Live Earth comes to a close it’s obvious that many Americans are ready to shoulder the responsibility for much of the decline and are pledging money to the cause and taking steps to reduce their own carbon footprint.

Growing up in Europe it was common knowledge we consumed less carbon based fuel per capita than our US cousins. It was common belief that an American would rather get in his car than walk the short distance to the closest shop. To generalise is always dangerous and I have to admit, at least in Europe, this is now general practice too.

The increasing health issues of the 21st century include obesity and poor health through little exercise. It’s ironic to hear Al Gore, a good representative for the USA, telling us to avoid our car in favour of {{{our|a} bicycle. I never thought I would hear that.

Equally strange is to observe the change in China. As we are generalising; think of the ordinary Chinese person in your mind, not local Chinese but the people you see on TV who live in China right now. Do you see someone unhealthy and obese or someone healthy and not overweight? Chances are the latter. As they cast away their bikes in favour of the family caravan is this likely to change?

For a long time I avoided riding my bicycle. The roads are for motor vehicles and it’s too dangerous to take bikes on them (plus in the UK bikers do not require insurance, don’t pay tax and there’s no requirement to wear any safety gear).

A growing quantity of designated cycling tracks have been built in cities that lead directly from the out skirts into the heart of town. These can be used to save time and money as well as keep you healthy.

With a collapsible bicycle in my car boot I park outside of town. This saves money on parking meters but eliminates the hassle of locating a free parking place or returning to find a fine or wheel clamp too.

I like to locate a Park and Rideif the city has one. I take the bike on the bus, shoot around the city and then ride back or if it's wet use the bus to get back.

This is one way that cycling is safe and if Europe, USA and hopefully China really want to cut their carbon footprint they’re going to need to work hard to demonstrate the community of the benefits.

America may not be at the forefront the fight against carbon emissions but that doesn’t mean they don’t care. 20 years ago I visited Eugene Oregon and the local authorities had made it a cyclist’s paradise. They spent money persuading locals to leave the motor vehicle at home. Cycle paths were built and although motor vehicles weren’t castigated they were clearly discouraged and on a sunny Sunday afternoon there are more people on their bikes than in their motor cars.

If the weather annoys you or you live in a location where you would prefer not ride a bike, get down to your local sports shop and try out one of the many new stay in home machines. I have a silent Trojan Stamina in the spare room in front of the TV. 30 minutes each day in the comfort of my own home and it cost less than $200, less than the cost of an ordinary bicycle.

Whatever your goal, better health, better planet the noble cycle is a good option, not just do you improve your health, not only do you reduce pollution but you get somewhere too.

John Walker is a self confessed weekend cyclist and authors for Bicycle Parts & Info.

Article Source: http://www.wellnessarticlelibrary.com

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