Walking and cycling over short distances are two major ways in which the use of automobiles can be reduced. Not only are they good forms of exercise, they help to reduce the emission of green house gases and reduce traffic congestion drastically.
Walking and cycling as modes of short distance transportation is especially popular in European countries. They are seen not only as ways to promote public health, but to cut down of fossil fuel dependence and the impacts of burning these fuels. Both walking and cycling fall under the category of active transportation. Physical activities such as walking and cycling, helps to reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure and many other lifestyle diseases and disorders.
For distances up to 5kms it is possible for a person to cycle with ease. In fact a person will have to take an active effort to choose cycling or walking over taking the car out, in order to ensure that they remain healthy and able to save energy.
Getting people to walk instead of driving may be achieved by a number of ways. Companies in California have experimented with offering equivalent subsidies to people who commute to work in alternative methods other than driving.
In order to ensure that cycling is undertaken as a serious mode of alternate form of transportation, governments need to provide for the necessary infrastructure. Proper infrastructure will ensure that people commute by cycle even in slightly harsher weather. The German city of Muenster is one of a prime example of how this can be incorporated within a city. The city has a wide network of interconnecting cycling paths. Since the end of World War II the city has promoted the use of cycles for commuting in a number of ways. Cycles available here are designed for the commuting purpose in mind. They come with mud flaps, mud guards.
In order to promote the use of cycling it is crucial that the city takes other measures apart from the provision of cycling tracks. This includes providing legal framework for the proper and safe use of cycles. Conducting bike safety and bike promotion campaigns. Provision for storing bikes such as bike racks becomes crucial. Shops also need to provide areas where people may park their bikes.� In a community that promotes cycling, the cyclist is given equal importance as compared to other automobiles on road.
Walking is the other mode of active transportation. Walking helps ensure that people do not succumb to leading sedentary lifestyles. Walking at a pace of 5km/hr is considered to be an adequate amount of moderate physical activity that is required by the human body.
There is also a significant cultural barrier that needs to be overcome in order to promote a healthy lifestyle. For examples in countries like the UK, children are forbidden to cycle to school. Encouraging the people to cycle or walk and use public transportation is another important step.
...Read more
Close
