2 wheels not 4

So I have an obsession with bicycles.  In my eyes, the bicycle is possibly the best invention after the wheel.  For me, there is something deeply satisfying about covering ground and building momentum by ones own efforts.

Suddenly, everybody is becoming more cycle friendly because petrol costs more – and though I am not complaining about the new respect and attention being given – its a shame that the turning point is being reached due to financial constraints as opposed to a genuine desire to decrease polluting emissions, or to get healthier.

Putting the ethical and/or financial motivations aside, consider this: 97% of the energy spent by a car from a standing start is to propel its own weight – the remaining 3% is for the driver.  Would the father of production line car manufacture be proud of this?  Henry Ford seemed to be a guy who aimed for the highest efficiency, and I bet that he would be dismayed to see the state of the automotive industry today.

Now, it seems that car manufacturers are turning to composite materials to build a lighter car, so less fuel is used to build momentum.  Furthermore, alternative fuel sources are being sought to improve the running cost of the modern lightweight car.

My contention is simple.  Ride a bike instead.  Get healthier, do better for the world around you and separate yourself from fuel driven economics.

Why spend so much on R&D for a cheaper running car, when one could build really decent bike lanes, and a safer infrastructure for people to use pedal power for their commute to work or to any destination of their choice?

When you need to go a long distance, you could ride to public transport, take your bike on board and then use it on the other side.  As many of you would already know, in parts of Europe, one can pick up and leave a bike at designated spots – and it costs 1 Euro to grab that bike for as long as you please.

Fuel driven automobiles have their place too.  Sometimes it is not practical for people to go without an automotive vehicle – perhaps because they live in a remote region or their work demands the use of such technology.

I propose however, that it is everyone’s responsibility to minimise their own personal fuel consumption.

One of the best ways to do this is to ride a bike instead.  Its the most efficient form of transport we have at our disposal.  In comparison to walking, you cover more distance for the same energy usage, given the mechanical advantage of the bicycle (based on a flat terrain comparison).  If cycling is not for you or not possible where you live, then you could walk instead and start rallying to get better infrastructure and/or better public transport to allow you to lower your fuel usage.

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