If I asked you what the main transport in China is you'd be forgiven for answering "The Bicycle". During my adolescence whenever China was discussed in school we would see hoards of folk clogging the streets on their bike. Just like the food in China is nothing like Chinese food the transport system is no longer jammed up with bikes either.

The profit of China's booming economy is creating huge wealth and the price of a car is no longer outside the budget of the ordinary city dweller. Their insatiable desire for CO2 producing fuel has in a few short months out stripped the USA and they are now the largest polluters on the planet.

As Al Gore's Live Earth comes to an end it's clear that many Americans are ready to shoulder the responsibility for much of the decline and are not only pledging money to the cause and taking steps to reduce their own pollution.

Growing up in Europe it was common knowledge we consumed less carbon based fuel per capita than our American cousins. It was well known that an American would rather get in his car than walk the short distance to the closest shop. To generalise is always dangerous and I have to admit, at least in Europe, this is now general practice too.

The increasing health issues of this century include obesity and poor health through lack of exercise. It's ironic to hear Al Gore, a fairly good diplomat for the USA, telling us to leave our car in favour of {{{our|a} bike. I never thought I would hear that.

Equally strange is to watch the change in China. As we are generalising; consider the ordinary Chinese person right now, not local Chinese but the people you see on TV who live there right now. Do you see someone unhealthy and obese or someone looking healthy and trim? Chances are the latter. As they cast away their bikes in favour of the family svu is this likely to change?

For years I avoided using my bike. The roads are for motor vehicles and it's too dangerous to take bikes on them (plus in the UK cyclists do not need insurance, don't pay road tax and there's no need to wear any safety gear).

A growing quantity of special cycling paths have been built in new cities that lead directly from the out skirts into the center of town. These can save time and money as well as keep you healthy.

I have a collapsible bike in my car boot I park outside of town. This not only saves money on parking fees but removes the hassle of finding an available parking place or returning to discover a fine or wheel clamp too.

I like to locate a Park and Rideif the city has one. I take the cycle in the bus, scoot around town and then cycle back or if it's wet use the bus to get back.

This is the only way that cycling is safe and if Europe, USA and with luck China really want to cut back their pollution they're going to need to work hard to demonstrate the groups of the benefits.

America may not be leading the battle against pollution but that doesn't mean they don't care. 20 years ago I went on hoilday to Eugene Oregon and the local government had made it a bikers heavan. The local authority invested in persuading locals to leave the cars at home. Cycle ways were built and although motor vehicles weren't actively castigated they were obviously discouraged and on a sunny Sunday morning there are more families on their bikes than in their cars.

If the weather annoys you or you live in a neighbourhood where you would rather not go out on a bike, go to your nearest sports shop and try one of the many new work out at home fitness products. I have a Trojan Stamina in the back room in front of the TV. 30 minutes a day in the comfort of my own home and it cost less than $200, much less than the price of the average bike.

Whatever aim to achieve, better health, better planet the humble bicycle is the best option, not only do you improve your health, not only do you reduce fossil fuel consumption but you get somewhere for free too.

John Walker is a self confessed weekend cyclist and authors for Bicycle Parts & Info.