Bicycles are a green mode of transportation
By Metro Creative Connection

What continues to be one of the greenest modes of transport besides walking? Riding a bicycle. Traditional bicycles remain the greenest solution for personal mobility. Bicycles burn no fossil fuels, if constructed well can last for years, require little maintenance and are easy for anyone to operate.

Bicycles, which normally have a boost in sales during the warm-weather season, are now being purchased year-round because of their eco-friendliness. And more people are buying bikes. Taiwan’s leading bicycle producer reported significantly more orders in 2008 than in years past.

This bicycle resurgence may not be based entirely on their green nature. It may also have to do with slumping car sales. Bicycles present a healthier alternative transportation.

In Europe, some cities have embraced bicycle transportation and encourage the public to hop on this two-wheeled way of getting around. Holland has a “pedal-and-park” bike sharing system for urban commuters. Paris government has purchased a thousand bicycles for free urban commuting. Bikes are parked in popular spots city-wide so the public can easily share the vehicles.

In many cities and towns in the United States you can find clearer and safer bicycle paths. Particularly in urban areas, there are also designated racks on which to park bikes when not in use.

Bicycles aren’t only good for the environment, they are good for the bike riders. It is estimated that the average 150 pound person burns 410 calories while pedaling 12 miles in an hour. The California Department of Health Services reports that behind tobacco, a leading cause of death among adults is inactivity and sedentary lifestyles. Hopping on a bicycle can help change that statistic.

Bicycles can be a very good, healthy way of getting around but only if safety measures are taken. Cyclists who ride sober, with the flow of traffic, wearing helmets, and using lights at night, are 99.999 percent more likely to survive their rides, according to research by Johns Hopkins.

Many bicycle riders are not entirely familiar with the laws of bike riding, which could put them in danger. It pays to visit your department of motor vehicles or transportation department to get a copy of the laws governing bicycles. A local police department may be able to help you out with information as well. Although laws vary from place to place, here are some general rules that can keep you safe.

* Always ride wearing a helmet

* A headlight is encouraged to make you more visible in dim light

* Do not “ride” another person on your bicycle if it is a single-rider bike.

* Ride only in the street, not on the sidewalk

* Follow the same rules of the road that cars would obey, including signaling and stopping at traffic signals.