Have Bike, Will Travel

Bicycles have been around since the early 19th century and for decades they stood as a testament to humankind's ingenuity. Towards the end of that century automobiles were introduced and for a few decades cyclists and drivers coexisted peacefully. Somewhere along the lines drivers began to outnumber cyclists in large cities and suddenly there was a shift in power. Fast-forward to today and cyclists are often considered a nuisance to drivers and struggle to get around urban settings. Without enough bike lanes cyclists are often playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse with cars.

Here are five main reasons why I believe biking is the more sensible option:

1. It is the environmentally-friendly option; imagine how much cleaner the air would be if everyone attempted to ride bikes more often.
2. It is better for your health; staying fit and active can be tough. In between jobs, household duties, spending time with family or friends, biking can be an easy way to get around without becoming round.
3. It saves money; cars consume tons of toxic gas, require constant maintenance, not to mention registration, insurance, etc. Your biggest bike expense would be a $25 tire or $1 air.
4. It saves time; searching for parking spots can be a major time-waster as can realising you have an empty tank at the last minute. Bicycle parking spots are also conveniently located right at the door of where you have to be.
5. It encourages local tourism; drivers tend to fuss so much about gas prices and are rarely seen driving around for fun. Cycling, on the other hand, is an easy way to get to know your area without spending loads of money.

In Canada there are 7,500 cyclists injured every year with most of them occurring during rush-hour traffic. If this planet, your health, time, or money means anything, you should consider the benefits of using a bicycle. And if you are just too lazy or selfish the least you could do it not make it more dangerous for the rest of us who simply want to ride in peace.