Bicycles - part of the urban transport solution?

Back when I was growing up - sometime after the invention of the wheel - I rode a bicycle everywhere. In fact, during my university years in Canada I often rode all year round – and can tell you stories of the relief of cool air rushing past me as I cycled through the muggy hot Toronto summers – or the pain of finding that water in my less than well designed lock had frozen solid in a -20 celsius cold snap.

It’s been a while now, and I’ve moved to London in the UK where the climate is much less extreme. Recently, as I live and work in the centre of the city, I’ve started cycling again and as London is relatively flat, it’s not much of a chore. In fact, compared to the crush of getting on the London Underground tube network, or being trapped on a bus in congested traffic, the bike is a very nimble and welcome alternative.

So, for those of us living in the more affluent nations on the planet - who are aware of the twin issues of global warming and declining fossil fuel stocks – and who shop, socialise and work within a 5 km radius of our homes - is the bicycle an appropriate transportation alternative? It would seem that the answer is ‘yes’.

Bicycles are (obviously) environment-friendly

Firstly, there is no debate whatsoever that riding a bicycle is a ‘green’ mode of transportation. Other than the occasional drop of oil or other lubrication, there is no requirement for the use of any sort of fossil fuel. As well, the components of the trusty bike are minimal, fairly durable, and represent only a minor atmospheric carbon load emanating from the factories in which they are produced.

Some would argue that walking is a better option. Yes, it’s true – and possible – it may not even be that much of a hardship. However, it would, undoubtedly be far slower than a bicycle. And undoubtedly, in the western world, individuals who would consider walking as their primary transportation would almost inevitably be those who need only travel in a much smaller area – perhaps as tiny as a 1km radius or less.

Cynically, the pedestrian option may only be welcomed and championed by companies who are in the business of manufacturing ‘granny style’ shopping trolleys – which of course, we will all still need in the future once we have lived a long, fit and active life - and only in our last twilight moments will we come off the bicycle due to the inability of medical science to solve the problems of failing knees, frail hips and a general loss of strength and balance. Maybe a grown-up version of the tricycle is the answer?