It is true that many countries, most of which are developed countries, have started investing in the bicycle
industry. There are more than a billion bicycles in the world, twice as many as automobiles. ln recent years,
bike production has climbed to over 1OO million per year (compared to 50 million cars). This essay intends
to analyse the reasons of this phenomenon. I believe that although it is a good solution to the traffic
problem, it is not the best solution.
The main reason is that these countries realize that cycling is a clean alternative to motorbikes and cars,
and so investing in facilities for cycling will help reduce congestion and pollution. Problems related to
congestion in the cities of the emerging world continue to grow, and will grow faster than any investment
in new roads could match. Secondly cycling is cheaper and healthier than other forms of transport Bicyclist
commuters are generally healthier than those who drive motor vehicles to work. They also remain
unaffected by OPEC decisions about crude oil production or the price per barrel.
Another very important reason for investing in this industry, is the potential of this industry to provide jobs.
Every cycle lane which is made, and every cyclist who is created, contributes to job growth. ln Europe
alone, more than 6lac people are employed in the cycling industry - more jobs than in mining and
quarrying, the steel industry, and even any other automobile industry. The Netherlands, Denmark. Sweden,
Japan, Switzerland and many more countries have started investing in a big way and have seen many
positive effects.
As far as the best solution to transport problem is concerned, I still feel that cycling comes second to public
transport. There are a few limitations in the use of bicycles. First, these need to be balanced by the rider in
order to remain upright. Not everyone can ride one. Second, there is reduced protection in crashes, in
comparison to motor vehicles. Another disadvantage is that there is longer travel time (except in densely
populated areas). Cycling is also vulnerable to weather conditions. Finally, a basic level of fitness is required
for cycling moderate to long distances. Public transport, on the other hand, caters to all segments of
society. There are children, the elderly, the sick, the disabled and pregnant women, who cannot ride a
bicycle.
To summarise, there are many motives for countries to invest in making cycling easier, which have been
explained in the above paragraphs. However, cycling is not the best solution to transport problem.
lnvesting in public transport takes the lead in this arena.
It is true that
many
countries
, most of which
are developed
countries
, have
started
investing
in the bicycle
industry. There are more than a billion bicycles in the world, twice as
many
as automobiles.
ln
recent years,
bike production has climbed to over 1OO million per year (compared to 50 million cars). This essay intends
to
analyse
the reasons of this phenomenon. I believe that although it is a
good
solution to the traffic
problem, it is not the best solution.
The main reason is that these
countries
realize that
cycling
is a clean alternative to motorbikes and cars,
and
so
investing
in facilities for
cycling
will
help
reduce
congestion and pollution. Problems related to
congestion in the cities of the emerging world continue to grow, and will grow faster than any investment
in new roads could match.
Secondly
cycling
is cheaper and healthier than other forms of
transport
Bicyclist
commuters are
generally
healthier than those who drive motor vehicles to work. They
also
remain
unaffected by OPEC decisions about crude oil production or the price per barrel.
Another
very
important
reason for
investing
in this
industry
, is the potential of this
industry
to provide jobs.
Every cycle lane which
is made
, and every cyclist who
is created
, contributes to job growth.
ln
Europe
alone, more than 6lac
people
are employed
in the
cycling
industry
-
more jobs than in mining and
quarrying, the steel
industry
, and even any other automobile
industry
. The Netherlands, Denmark. Sweden,
Japan, Switzerland and
many
more
countries
have
started
investing
in a
big
way and have
seen
many
positive
effects.
As far as the best solution to
transport
problem
is concerned
, I
still
feel that
cycling
comes
second to public
transport. There are a few limitations in the
use
of bicycles.
First
, these need to
be balanced
by the rider in
order to remain upright. Not everyone can ride one. Second, there is
reduced
protection in crashes, in
comparison to motor vehicles. Another disadvantage is that there is longer travel time (except in
densely
populated areas).
Cycling
is
also
vulnerable to weather conditions.
Finally
, a basic level of fitness
is required
for
cycling
moderate to long distances. Public
transport
,
on the other hand
, caters to all segments of
society. There are children, the elderly, the sick, the disabled and pregnant women, who cannot ride a
bicycle.
To
summarise
, there are
many
motives for
countries
to invest in making
cycling
easier, which have been
explained
in the above paragraphs.
However
,
cycling
is not the best solution to
transport
problem.
lnvesting
in public
transport
takes the lead in this arena.