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On your bike, your health may depend on it |
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| Author: John Walker |
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The growth of China’s booming economy is creating huge wealth and the cost of a vehicle is no longer outside the reach of the ordinary metropolitan citizen. Their demand for CO2 producing fuel 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 worlds decline and are pledging money to the cause and taking steps to reduce their own carbon footprint.
Growing up in Europe it was folklore we consumed lower carbon based fuel per capita than our US counterparts. It was well known that an American would prefer to get in his motor vehicle than walk the short distance to the nearest shop. To generalise is always dangerous and I have to confess, at least in Europe, this is now general practice too.
The growing health situation of this century include obesity and poor health through limited demands for exercise. It’s ironic to listen to Al Gore, a fairly good diplomat for the USA, telling us to avoid our motor vehicle in favour of {{{our|a} bike. I never imagined I would hear that.
Equally strange is to observe the change in China. As we are generalising; picture the average Chinese person right now, not local Chinese but the people you see on TV who live in China right now. Do you envisage someone unhealthy and obese or someone looking healthy and trim? Chances are the latter. As they throw away their bicycles in favour of the family people carrier is this likely to change?
For a long time I avoided riding my bike. The roads are for cars and it’s too dangerous to ride bicycles on them (plus in some parts of Europe bikers do not require insurance, don’t pay tax and there’s no need to wear any safety gear).
A growing number of special cycling tracks have been built in new cities that go directly from the suburbs into the center of town. These can be used to save time and money as well as keep you healthy.
I keep a collapsible bike in my car trunk I park outside of the city. This saves money on parking fees but eliminates the frustration of finding a free parking place or returning to find a fine or wheel clamp too.
I like to find a Park and Ride. I take the cycle in the bus, scoot around town and then ride back or if it's raining use the bus to return.
This is one way that cycling is safe and if Europe, USA and hopefully China really want to reduce their carbon footprint they’re going to need to work hard to assure the non cycling groups of the benefits.
America may not be at the forefront the fight against pollution but that doesn’t mean they don’t care. Twenty years ago I visited Eugene Oregon and the local authorities had turned it into a cyclist’s paradise. The local authority spent money persuading citizens to leave the cars at home. Cycle paths were carefully maintained and although cars weren’t castigated they were obviously discouraged and on a sunny Sunday morning there are more families on their bicycles than in their motor cars.
If the weather hassles you or you live in a location where you would rather not ride a bike, go to your nearest sports authority and try out one of the many new work out at home fitness products. I have a silent Trojan Stamina in the spare room in view of a TV. Half an hour each day in the comfort of my own home and it cost less than $200, lower than the cost of the average bike.
Whatever your goal, better health, better planet the noble bicycle is the best option, not just do you improve your fitness, not only do you reduce your carbon footprint but you get somewhere for free too.
About Author
John enjoys weekend cycling and authors for Bicycle Parts & Info.
Article Source:
http://www.1888articles.com
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