If I asked you what the most used method of transport in China is you’d be forgiven for replying “The Bike". During my childhood whenever China was mentioned in the classroom we would see multitudes of folk clogging the streets on their bicycle. Just like the food in China is nothing like Chinese food the transport is no longer clogged up with bikes either.

The growth of China’s advancing economy is generating enormous wealth and the cost of a car is no longer outside the budget of the ordinary city dweller. 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 obvious that many Americans are ready to shoulder the responsibility for much of the decline and are not only pledging money to the cause and taking steps to reduce their own pollution.

Growing up in the UK it was common knowledge we consumed lower carbon based fuel per capita than our American cousins. It was well known that an American would rather 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 issues of the 21st century include obesity and poor health through little exercise. It’s ironic to listen to Al Gore, a fairly good diplomat for the USA, warning us to leave our car in favour of {{{our|a} bicycle. What a changing world we inhabit.

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

For a long time I avoided using my bicycle. The roads are for cars and it’s too dangerous to ride bikes on them (plus in the UK bikers do not need insurance, don’t pay tax and there’s no need to wear a safety helmet).

An increasing number of designated cycling tracks have been built in towns that go directly from the suburbs into the center of town. These can save time and money as well as keep you healthy.

With a fold up bicycle in my car boot I park outside of the city. This not only saves money on parking fees but eliminates the frustration of locating 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 on the bus, shoot around town and then ride back or if it's too cold use the bus to return.

This is the only way that cycling is safe and if the UK, USA and with luck China really want to cut back their pollution they’re going to have to work hard to demonstrate the motorist community of the benefits.

America may not be leading the fight against carbon emissions but that doesn’t mean the people don’t take it seriously. Twenty years ago I went on hoilday to Eugene Oregon and the local authorities had made it a cyclist’s heavan. The local authority invested in persuading people to leave their motor vehicle at home. Cycle paths were built and although cars weren’t penalized they were obviously discouraged and on a sunny Sunday morning there are more people on their bikes than in their cars.

If the weather annoys you or you live in a location where you would rather not go out on a bike, get down to your local sports shop and try one of the many new work out at home fitness products. I have a silent Trojan Stamina in the back 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 an ordinary bicycle.

Whatever your goal, better health, better planet the humble cycle is a good choice, not only do you improve your health, not only do you reduce pollution but you get somewhere too.