Greenhouse pollution

Roughly 50% of the greenhouse pollution caused by an average household every year is transport related. Bike riding is one way a household may considerably decrease its input to the pollution which leads to climate change. Vehicles emit 0.3 kg of CO2 in average for every km travelled. A cyclist produces insignificant greenhouse pollution. Hence, for every kilometer you take a trip using your bicycle rather than driving, you are reducing about 0.3 kg of CO2.

Air pollution

Cars produce the largest amount of carbon monoxide, sulphur oxides, oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons, ozone-forming substances and fine particulates. The internals of new vehicles emit formaldehyde and other pollutants associated with brain and nerve damage, cancer, birth defects and permanent lungs and breathing passages damage. Air pollution also causes death, bronchitis, cardiovascular disease as well as respiratory disease. It is becoming very costing to cure these chronic diseases. Moreover, air pollution damages the environment by hampering plant photosynthesis, destroying leaves and negatively affecting the production of some crops. Cars also emit other pollutants such as oil and petrol residues that get into the storm-water system and contribute greatly to waterway and ocean pollution. Each time you ride a bike rather than drive a car, you considerably decrease releases of pollutants and contaminants into our environment. Also, when you are cycling you breathe in less pollution.

Indirect greenhouse as well as other pollution:

This refers to material energy which entails all the energy used in the manufacture and delivery of goods. This comprises energy for mining, distillation and delivery of materials as well as manufacture of the products. During every phase the energy utilized emits greenhouse and other pollution. Moreover, the energy needed for the infrastructure as well as services linked to vehicle and bike use like the energy utilized to construct roads, paths and car parks among others. Moreover, more energy is utilized for emergency services as well as hospital wards, maintenance, materials for repairs, spray painting, and supplying new car parts. On the other hand, bike is small and hence; do not occupy a lot of space in the parking area. A bike also has a low speed, requires lower maintenance and infrastructure requirements compared to a car and therefore, produces less pollutant.

Noise pollution

Cars contribute more to noise pollution than bikes. The only noise that comes from bikes is that of ringing bells.

City plan and amenity

An urban planned for high levels of biking can be a cleaner, low polluting, very pleasant and livable environment to reside in. High density urban can allocate small space to roads. Biking can also reduce traffic jam as they occupy a small space. Also bikes do not consume more fuel as compared to cars and hence can be economical in this time of fuel high prices.

One main benefit of cycling is that it helps the rider save a huge amount of cash compared to if they chose driving a car as their main form of transport. In a recent report done by Forbes.com on the economic and social costs of motor vehicles in United States, the average annual operating cost of driving an average car is $8,220. On the other hand, the average annual operating cost of riding a bicycle is only $308. They have also noted that cycling would save more than two billion gallons of gas or equivalent to $7.3 billion per year.

In Australia, the Cycling Promotion Fund has done a study on the economic benefits of cycling in the country. Based on the data they have gathered, they have found out that thousands of Australians are starting to make the switch to cycling. The study also found out that a large proportion of the car trips taken by the average Australian are that of a distance suited to cycling. This makes riding a bicycle the most economical way of travelling the same distance, by far.

Australia’s Cycling Promotion Fund has also indicated in their 2008 study that those commuters based in the capital cities that ride their bike to wherever they want to go can cumulatively save $35 million on fuel. This savings are considerable when you factor in other costs such as registration, car maintenance, and insurance.

The variety and convenience of buying a bicycle has also never been as vast as it is today. Many retailers no have online stores, with a plethora of bikes at your disposal. If you buy a road bike, the top-end models may cost just as much as a cheap car but the costs end there, apart from odd maintenance job here and there; there are also numerous bikes for sale which are good-quality, reliable and only cost a couple of hundred dollars – well under the price of a car. You also won’t need to pay a mechanic to make sure the car is in good shape and roadworthy.

The studies outlined above prove not only that riding a bicycle over driving a car can save you thousands of dollars a year but that it can be done on a bicycle due to the average distances travelled per day. Cycling is the most practical and sustainable mode of transportation nowadays; getting a bike is an investment which provides significant health, environmental and of course, economic benefits.

healthy lifestyle and fitness concept with mountain bike

http://newsmaker.com.au/news/10058

Similar stories: http://www.deakin.edu.au/travelsmart/walking-cycling.php