Riding a bicycle, whether as a commuter or for pleasure, has never been more desirable than now. Cycling is highly cost effective, especially at this time of ever-increasing fuel prices and over-inflation rises in public transport costs. As the recession takes hold, more and more people will take to two-wheels. Cycling, we know, has tremendous health benefits, not only long term as it gives the heart an aerobic workout, but as a form of exercise that is (hopefully) low impact, the negative consequences of lifelong cycling are minimal.
Of all forms of transport other than walking or running, it is the most environmentally friendly, leaving no carbon footprint, causing minimal wear and tear on road surfaces, and taking up only a fraction of the road space that even small cars, motor bikes and scooters use. With the ever increasing number of cyclists, pressure is on the government and local authorities to no longer simply give lip-service to cyclist demands, but to accommodate them into road traffic systems, which is becoming more and more evident, especially in the central areas of the UK’s cities such as London and Bristol. Maps of routes extend over the width and breadth of the UK, and safe places to lock up are appearing all over our urban areas, so that cycling today is fast becoming a fast and very convenient mode of transport on our now congested streets.
However, there has been an equal sea change not only in the way we cycle, but also in our relationship with our cycles. Bikes were in the past an accessory, bought cheaply, rarely used, stored in the shed to rust. Few of us can afford the space to do this today. Instead a bike is seen as an investment, and as such should be approached with the same attitude as one would approach a financial investment, namely to research to find a product that is tailored to you and your needs, and an appreciation that periodic servicing will be required.