cycling in hong kong
Should bicycle be promoted as major transport in Hong Kong?
In the recent years, the bicycle has become one of the popular exercises in Hong Kong and some legislative councilors advocate to promote cycling as major transport so as to sustain the low-carbon living. This promotion has given rise to many discussions in the society. While some advocates believe riding bike can enhance the citizens’ health, others concern that cycling may increase the danger of other road users. This paper examines both arguments for and against promoting bicycling as major transport.
A number of cyclists advise that cycling can alleviate the chronic diseases and enhance the mental health. A research conducted by Erikssen et al (1998) suggest that physical fitness is the fundamental element to prevent people from death, especially chronic diseases such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol). Riding the bike as transport tool is beneficial to Hong Kong dwellers since it can utilize the time when they traveling home or office. Hong Kong has a different circumstance with other foreign countries which has short and maximum working hours. So, most of the citizens are not able to exercise in daily time and this reason finally causes a high percentage of obesity problems and chronic diseases. In addition, Barton and Pretty (2010) believe that doing exercise in natural environments can improve self-esteem and mood and cycling have to ride across from one place to another area. Some places such as the New Territories, Tai Po and Yuen Long has many natural areas as well as green plants so riding bicycle in these districts enable the citizens to relax when doing exercise.
Low-carbon living is becoming a global trend and fashion in 21 centuries and this life can be sustained by riding bike instead of using motor vehicles. According to the Environmental Protection Department report (2012) reveals that road transport contributes 65% of carbon monoxide/dioxide,
In the recent years, the bicycle has become one of the popular exercises in Hong Kong and some legislative councilors advocate to promote cycling as major transport so as to sustain the low-carbon living. This promotion has given rise to many discussions in the society. While some advocates believe riding bike can enhance the citizens’ health, others concern that cycling may increase the danger of other road users. This paper examines both arguments for and against promoting bicycling as major transport.
A number of cyclists advise that cycling can alleviate the chronic diseases and enhance the mental health. A research conducted by Erikssen et al (1998) suggest that physical fitness is the fundamental element to prevent people from death, especially chronic diseases such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol). Riding the bike as transport tool is beneficial to Hong Kong dwellers since it can utilize the time when they traveling home or office. Hong Kong has a different circumstance with other foreign countries which has short and maximum working hours. So, most of the citizens are not able to exercise in daily time and this reason finally causes a high percentage of obesity problems and chronic diseases. In addition, Barton and Pretty (2010) believe that doing exercise in natural environments can improve self-esteem and mood and cycling have to ride across from one place to another area. Some places such as the New Territories, Tai Po and Yuen Long has many natural areas as well as green plants so riding bicycle in these districts enable the citizens to relax when doing exercise.
Low-carbon living is becoming a global trend and fashion in 21 centuries and this life can be sustained by riding bike instead of using motor vehicles. According to the Environmental Protection Department report (2012) reveals that road transport contributes 65% of carbon monoxide/dioxide,