If I asked you what the most used method of transport in China is you'd be forgiven for answering ?The Bicycle?. During my adolescence whenever China was mentioned in school we would see hoards of cyclists clogging the streets on their bike. Just like the food in China is nothing like Chinese food the transport system is no longer clogged up with bikes either.



The growth of China's expanding economy is generating enormous wealth and the price of a car is no longer outside the budget of the average metropolitan citizen. Indeed their insatiable desire 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 clear 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 the UK it was folklore we used less carbon based fuel per capita than our US cousins. It was well known that an American would prefer to get in his car than walk the small distance to the nearest 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 problems of this century include obesity and poor health through limited demands for exercise. It's ironic to listen to Al Gore, a good representative for the USA, warning us to avoid our car in favour of {{{our|a} bike. I never thought I would hear that.

Equally odd is to watch 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 see someone unhealthy and fat or someone looking healthy and trim? Chances are the latter. As they throw away their bikes in favour of the family people carrier is this likely to change?

For a long time I avoided using my bike. The roads are for motor vehicles and it's too dangerous to ride bikes on them (plus in some parts of Europe cyclists do not need insurance, don't pay tax and there's no requirement to wear a safety helmet).

An increasing quantity of special cycling tracks 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 bike in my car boot I park outside of town. This saves money on parking fees but eliminates the hassle of locating an available parking place or returning to find a fine or wheel clamp too.

I like to find a Park and Rideif the city has one. I take the bike in the bus, scoot around the city and then cycle back or if it's wet use the bus to return.

This is one way that cycling is safe and if the UK, USA and hopefully China want to cut their carbon footprint they're going to have to work hard to convince the non cycling community of the benefits.

America may not be leading the battle against carbon emissions but that doesn't mean they don't take it seriously. 20 years ago I visited Eugene Oregon and the local authorities had made it a cyclist's paradise. They invested in persuading citizens to leave their motor vehicle at home. Cycle ways were built and although motor vehicles were not actively castigated they were clearly discouraged and on a sunny Sunday there are more families on their bikes than in their cars.

If the weather bothers you or you live in a neighbourhood where you would prefer not ride a bike, get down to your local sports shop and try one of the new stay in home machines. I have a silent Trojan Stamina in the spare 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 price of an ordinary bike.

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