We can only hope that, by successfully persuading our own public that the bicycle is a vehicle for tomorrow, this mode of mobility will be retained in those countries. Whether viewed from the individual's perspective, caught up in unending lines of traffic, or from the perspective of global warming, our transport choices will have to change. There will no doubt be numerous sophisticated solutions, but they should all lead to fewer vehicles, less fuel consumption and ultimately less travel. For example, the eight-fold reduction in uk fuel consumption sought by the Global Common Institute would require a combination of halving the distance we all travel, doubling the efficiency of vehicles in terms of miles travelled per unit of fuel, and doubling the occupancy of vehicles. Popular cycling meets these criteria.
Cycling can help to reclaim communities.
John Grimshaw is the founder of Sustrans.