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Cycling: A Major Mode of Transportation in London

Cycling is seeing a tremendous growth in its popularity throughout the world, especially in London. Today, the number of cyclists throughout the city of London is equal to 1/10th of the passengers on the buses and 1/5th of the passengers on the tube. This is almost a 120 percent increase since the year 2000. This method of transportation is becoming the norm for London and the government is hoping this trend continues to increase through the years, encouraging more and more people to take up this method of transportation. Today, more than 40 percent of the households in London own a bike, yet they are not all being used. Approximately 20 percent of them are not in use, but it is the goal of the city to get those cycles moving by making the roadways more conducive for everyone that wants to use them. Cycling is not only great exercise; it is also very cost effective for London, giving experts hope for its popularity increase for many years to come.

Cycling Gets Safer

Cycling continues to become more and more popular in London because people are realizing that it can be a safe mode of transportation as the city embraces this method of transportation. With road cycling helmets and proper bike gear, cyclists can safely get from one destination to another without incident as the city works to make the roadways easily shareable with cars and cycles. In addition, the government is working hard to educate the public on the importance of bike safety, not just for those riding the bikes, but for the people sharing the road with the cyclists. The more informed the public is about cycling, the safer commuters will be on the road. As more and more people bike, the more the government is realizing that they need to figure out a way to make the roadways safer for these cyclists. Investments are currently being made in facilities to make cycling safer for commuters.

Protecting Yourself

In order to ensure your own safety while bicycling in London, it is important to have the proper gear. Because cycling is considered an alternative to the gym, you can use it as your form of exercise for the day. This means cycling hard and fast in order to burn calories and make the most of your efforts. Because of the speed you will be using, it is very important to wear your helmet. A proper bike helmet meant for road biking is essential in the event that you were to fall. You want a helmet that will protect your head rather than allowing it to shake around in the helmet, putting you at risk for a concussion. The right helmet will keep your head stabilized and free from any type of brain injury.

Your body also needs proper protection. Aside from standard clothing to help protect you against the elements of the weather, such as cold, wind, rain, and even excessive heat, you need body armor that will protect your body should you fall. This type of armor includes things like goggles to protect your eyes; gloves to protect your hands from the elements as well as blisters; and various types of armor that protects your arms, knees, and feet from damage, should you fall.

Getting from Place to Place

In London, commuting can be time consuming and even considered a dire pain, but when you have the ability to bike to where you want to go, you get to take in the beauty of the city, as well as get to where you need to be on time. There are no long lines and crowds to contend with; instead, you get to take in nature and the beauty of your ride as you get from place to place. In addition to the benefits that you realize as a commuter are the benefits the city will realize. Without the harmful pollution of the cars, buses, and tubes going through the city as often as they would need to if there were no cyclists, the environment can benefit. In addition, the city benefits from the financial savings of carrying fewer passengers on the various methods of transportation.

In the end, everyone wins when people cycle through London. It is important that you do not forget to wear a protective bike helmet for your daily trip though, as this one piece of equipment could literally save your life. London is continuing to work on its safety for bikers as more and more people take up this hobby, but even if the streets are as safe as possible, body armor and helmets are a must. As London continues to embrace cycling, the city and the people will realize its immense benefits, hopefully continuing the trend throughout the world, helping everyone to achieve environmental and financial freedom.

John:
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