I. A. R.

Bicycles: the solution to avoid our rapid extinction.

Air pollution is one of the biggest problems in our current society. Every year
solutions are sought to reduce this problem. More and more young people are
seeking to generate a favorable change for the environment, but sometimes they are
discouraged by the vast proposals that governments around the world propose. The
most viable and accessible solution for young people, and anyone really, is using
less polluting transport, such as bicycles. Are these the ones indicated to reduce the
negative impact that we have generated in our lives? This alternative would help for
three reasons.
First, major air pollutants are generated from human activities such as burning fossil
fuels in power plants and vehicle emissions. Bicycles are more sustainable because
they do not consume fuel, do not allow greenhouse gases, produce lower noise
levels than cars, and are widely reusable. Just moderate increases in bicycle use
each year could save an estimated 6 to 14 million tons of CO2. (How Riding a Bike
Benefits the Environment, 2021).
Second, cycling is the best option to improve our physical health. In Mexico alone,
57.9% of the population aged 18 and over in Mexico is physically inactive, making a
sedentary lifestyle the primary cause of overweight and obesity problems directly
related to diseases such as diabetes and cancer. (Holt Valdés & Tommasi
Gundersen, 2022). Cycling reduces the risk of heart attack by 50%, reduces "bad"
cholesterol, and increases the good one thanks to the fact that the flexibility of the
blood vessels increases and the risk of calcification decreases; it strengthens your
immune system, helps to reduce the risk of various illnesses, such as diabetes, some
forms of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and depression: Riding a bicycle to work
every day reduces the risk of premature death by 41 percent (risk of dying from heart
disease: -52 percent; risk of dying from cancer: -40 percent). (Harms & Kansen,
2018)
In addition, it is a more affordable means of transportation for everyone, from
students to parents and grandparents. According to a Danish study, every kilometer
traveled by car costs society three-euro cents; while doing that same kilometer by
bicycle represents a saving for the society of 42-euro cents. Only in Copenhagen
(with 80% of the population using a bicycle regularly) a saving of around 200 million
euros is achieved, touching about 150 € per person. (Mckiwen, 2013)
On the other hand, making bicycles, the primary means of transportation in Mexico
is challenging. It is not just about motivating people to change their vehicles for a
more sustainable option, such as bicycles, but about creating spaces that allow the
proper use of these and that, in turn, protect cyclists. Although it is not an easy task,
academic institutions and workplaces can contribute to change by building new
bicycle-friendly infrastructure. This will encourage larger organizations to take safety
measures for cyclists and pedestrians, for example, creating bump-outs or curb
extensions, building pedestrian refuges in the middle of streets, and narrowing traffic
I. A. R.T

lanes by extending sidewalks, adding trees or planters, or better yet, adding bike
lanes. (The Top 10 Ways to Encourage Bicycling Among College Students, 2015)
In conclusion, the advantages of using bicycles as the main means of transport are
clear. We live in a time where it is essential to make even the most minor change
that favors the preservation of our planet. It is evident that giving up comfort as great
as a car is not something easy or pleasant. However, we are the only solution to the
damage that seems less and less irreversible and, at the same time, break bad
habits for our health.
References:
How Riding a Bike Benefits the Environment. (2021, 14 may). Transportation. Recuperado

14 de octubre de 2022, de https://transportation.ucla.edu/blog/how-riding-bike-

benefits-environment

Holt Valdés, I. & Tommasi Gundersen, P. (2022, 7 january). ¿Qué es el sedentarismo?

ANÁHUAC. Recuperado 13 de octubre de 2022, de

https://www.anahuac.mx/generacion-anahuac/que-es-el-sedentarismo

Harms, L. & Kansen, M. (2018, april). Cycling Facts. Ministry of Infrastructure and Water

Management. Recuperado 13 de octubre de 2022, de

https://portal.r2network.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/KIM-Cycling-Facts.pdf

Mckiwen. (2013, 16 abril). ¿Cual es el coste comparativo de la bicicleta y del coche para

la sociedad? Motorpasión. Recuperado 14 de octubre de 2022, de

https://www.motorpasion.com/coches-hibridos-alternativos/cual-es-el-coste-

comparativo-de-la-bicicleta-y-del-coche-para-la-sociedad

The Top 10 Ways to Encourage Bicycling Among College Students. (2015, 1 julio). NJ

Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Center. Recuperado 14 de octubre de 2022, de

http://njbikeped.org/the-top-10-ways-to-encourage-bicycling-among-college-

students/