The Global Impact of Cycling - A Practical Approach

OK, choir, here's new spin on cycling actually saving the world... Most "green" advocates talk about the reduction of greenhouse gases, noise pollution and congestion when they talk about bikes vs. cars, but has anyone ever considered the practical approach. 

According to the blog: Raise The Hammer, cycling is faster, healthier and more efficient. Here's an excerpt of what the blog has to say: 

Efficiency: The bicycle is the most efficient form of personal transportation ever invented. People of average fitness can achieve 20 km/h with an average power input of about 1/10 hp, or 75 watts. This level of exertion is minimal and can be kept up for hours.

Cost of Fuel: Leg muscles are about 20 percent efficient, so a five kilometre ride consumes 80 kilocalories, or about one small apple. If you are wondering, this translates into a fuel efficiency of 595 km/l (1,400 mpg) of gasoline. Apples are renewable and clean; gasoline is neither.

Speed: Note also that the average car speed in a city is 30 km/h, without volume delays. In practice, for city trips of less than five km, a bike and car will get you through the door at the same time. Close bike parking saves the extra couple of minutes.

I pulled a lot from this site, because Ted Mitchell, the writer, makes some incredible points here about city planning, riding to save the earth (as well as your health) and, well, his point: cycling makes more PRACTICAL sense.