In many countries, the number of people who use bicycles as their main form of transport is decreasing.
Why is this? What can be done to encourage people to use bicycles as their main form of transport?
In many countries, using bicycles as the primary mode of transport is not as common as in the past. While this can be attributed to current urban planning and the appeal of other forms of transport, cycling can be encouraged by establishing necessary infrastructure and educating the public.
One of the primary reasons why relying on bicycles has declined in many countries is the lack of dedicated space. Modern cities today are characterized by high-rise buildings and highways where cycling is deemed dangerous. In this case, turning to other modes of transport like cars seems to be a safer way of getting around. For instance, in Tashkent, most residents do not have an opportunity to ride a bike due to the absence of place conducive to cycling.
Another contributing factor is that other types of transport, such as buses and even taxis are relatively affordable. When using these does not stretch their budget too thin, individuals may inherently want to use them thanks to greater convenience they offer. In other words, such transport links carry passengers considerably faster than bicycles, and also do not make them physically fatigued, especially after long hours of working or studying. This is especially valuable in bad weather conditions like heavy storm, rain, snow or scorching heat when using bikes requires great effort.
As for the methods to encourage cycling, establishing designated lanes for bicycles is the primary one. When there are special routes for cycling where it is not interrupted by other means of transport, more and more people may want to turn to this mode. Finland, for example – a nation which created favorable conditions for cycling and has seen a noticeable rise in using bicycles, whether to work, university or school. Some might argue that investing in such infrastructure can impose a burden on government budget, particularly in low-income countries. While this concern is valid, the long-terms benefits in the form of reduced traffic and thus less pollution will override it.
Equally effective is to educate the public about the importance of using bicycles. Relying on this form of transport has health benefits, as this necessitates physical movement, which is essential for blood circulation. This, in turn, helps people maintain good physical health and avoid conditions like obesity. Also, cycling is beneficial for the environment. When more and more people turn away from cars, which releases huge amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, to bicycles, there will be significantly less pollution and, as a result, a cleaner environment. Once people are aware of such merits coming along with utilizing bicycles, some, if not most, of them are more likely to make a positive change.
In conclusion, lack of necessary infrastructure and cost-effectiveness of public and even private transport are the primary contributors to a decline in the popularity of cycling. People can be encouraged to cycle more by building dedicated cycling lanes where it is safe to use bicycles and educating how beneficial this is for both health and the environment.
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