A Bike Will Increase Your Wealth As Well As Your Health

A Bike Will Increase Your Wealth As Well As Your Health
By CapeJohn Walker

If I asked you what the most used transport in China is youd be forgiven for replying The Bike. During my childhood whenever China was discussed in the classroom we would see masses of folk crowding the streets on their bicycle. Just like the food in China is nothing like Chinese food the transport system is no longer jammed up with bicycles either.

The profit of Chinas advancing economy is creating huge wealth and the cost of a vehicle is no longer outside the budget of the average metropolitan citizen. Indeed their insatiable desire for CO2 producing gas has in a few short months deposed the USA and they are now the largest polluters on the planet.

As Al Gores Live Earth comes to an end its clear that many Americans are ready to shoulder the responsibility for much of the decline and are not only pledging money to the cause and taking steps to reduce their own pollution.

Growing up in the UK it was common knowledge we used less carbon based fuel per person than our US counterparts. It was common belief that an American would rather get in his motor vehicle than walk the short distance to the closest shop. To generalise is always dangerous and I have to confess, at least in the UK, this does appear to have become general practice.

The increasing health situation of this century include obesity and poor health through lack of exercise. Its ironic to hear Al Gore, a fairly good ambassador for the USA, warning us to leave our motor vehicle in favour of oura bicycle. What a strange world we inhabit.

Equally strange is to watch the change in China. As we are generalising; consider the average 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 fat or someone looking healthy and trim? Chances are you see the latter. As they cast away their bicycles in favour of the family svu is this likely to change?

For a long time I avoided riding my bicycle. The roads are for motor vehicles and its too dangerous to take bicycles on them (plus in the UK cyclists do not need insurance, dont pay tax and theres no requirement to wear any safety gear).

An increasing quantity of special cycling paths have appeared in new towns that lead directly from the out skirts into the center of town. These can be used to save time and money as well as keep you healthy.

With a collapsible bicycle in my car trunk I park outside of the city. This not only saves money on parking fees but eliminates the frustration of locating a free parking place or returning to find a fine or wheel clamp too.

I prefer to find a Park and Ride. I take the bike on the bus, scoot around town and then ride back or if the weathers bad use the bus to get back.

This is the only way that cycling is safe and if the UK, USA and hopefully China really want to diminish their pollution theyre going to need to work hard to convince the community of the benefits.

America may not be leading the battle against carbon emissions but that doesnt mean the people dont take it seriously. Twenty years ago I went on hoilday to Eugene Oregon and the local government had turned it into a cyclists paradise. They spent money persuading locals to leave their cars at home. Cycle paths were carefully maintained and although motor vehicles werent castigated they were clearly mot encouraged and on a sunny Sunday morning there are more people on their bicycles than in their cars.

If the weather hassles you or you live in a location where you would prefer not go out on a bike, get down to your local sports authority and try out one of the many new work out at home fitness products. I have a Trojan Stamina in the back room in view of a TV. Half an hour a day in the comfort of my own home and it cost less than $200, much less than the cost of the average bicycle.

Whatever aim to achieve, better health, better planet the noble bicycle is the best choice, not just do you improve your fitness, not only do you reduce fossil fuel consumption but you get somewhere too.

John Walker is a keen hobby cyclist and writes for Bicycle Parts & Info.

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