A Bike Will Increase Your Wealth As Well As Your Health

If I asked you what the primary method of transport in China is you'd be forgiven for replying The Bicycle. During my childhood whenever China was mentioned in the classroom we would see hoards of folk crowding the streets on their bike. Just like the food in China is nothing like Chinese food the transport is no longer clogged up with bicycles either.

The profit of China's booming economy is generating huge wealth and the cost of a car is no longer outside the budget of the ordinary metropolitan citizen. Indeed 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 an end it's clear that many Americans are ready to shoulder the responsibility for much of the worlds decline and are pledging money to the cause but taking steps to reduce their own pollution.

Growing up in Europe it was folklore we used less carbon based fuel per person than our US cousins. It was common belief 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 but I have to confess, at least in Europe, this does appear to have become general practice.

The growing health situation of the 21st century include obesity and poor health through limited demands for exercise. It's ironic to listen to Al Gore, a good ambassador for the USA, warning us to leave our motor vehicle in favour of {{{our|a} bike. What a changing world we live in.

Equally strange is to watch the change in China. As we are generalising; think of the ordinary Chinese person right now, not local Chinese but the folks you see on TV who live in China right now. Do you envisage someone unhealthy and obese or someone healthy and trim? Chances are the latter. As they throw away their bicycles in favour of the family caravan is this likely to change?

For years I avoided using my bike. The roads are for cars and it's just too dangerous to ride bicycles on them (plus in the UK cyclists do not require insurance, don't pay road tax and there's no requirement to wear any safety gear).

A growing number of designated cycling tracks have appeared in towns 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.

I have a collapsible bike in my car boot I park outside of the city. This saves money on parking fees but eliminates the hassle of finding an available parking place or returning to find a fine or wheel clamp too.

I like to locate a Park and Rideif the town has one. I take the bicycle on the bus, shoot around town and then cycle 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 with luck China really want to abridge their pollution they're going to have to work hard to assure the motorist 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 went on hoilday to Eugene Oregon and the local authorities had turned it into a bikers heavan. The local authority invested in persuading people to leave their cars at home. Cycle paths were carefully maintained and although cars weren't penalized they were obviously discouraged and on a sunny Sunday morning there are more people on their bicycles than in their motor cars.

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

Whatever aim to achieve, better health, better planet the noble cycle is the best option, not just do you improve your health, not only do you reduce pollution but you get somewhere for free too.