Cars remain one of the most preferred forms of transport for good reason – they’re cost-effective, environmentally-friendly and provide maximum comfort.
Cars do have their disadvantages; most notably their high cost and maintenance requirements. Furthermore, they contribute to air pollution as well as traffic congestion.
Cost
Cycling can be an economical mode of transportation in the US. Car ownership costs an average of 12C per mile including maintenance and insurance whereas cycling costs just 3C per mile on average (excluding maintenance expenses and potential parking fines).
Bicycles may seem expensive initially, but their initial investment soon pays for itself. By switching from driving an automobile to biking instead, you will save money on gas, maintenance, tire costs, depreciation costs and tire wear and tear costs.
Cycling not only saves on expenses but it can also provide you with an opportunity to gain additional exercise – leading to healthier bodies with reduced risks like heart disease and high blood pressure.
Cyclists tend to live longer than people who use cars due to the physical and mental benefits they gain from cycling. Researchers estimate that cycling prevents 6,500 deaths annually, adding half-year lifespan extension.
Safety
Cars offer more passenger safety than bikes due to seatbelts and airbags, plus alarm systems in case of attempted theft. Cars also provide better protection from weather elements due to roofs and windows; additionally, driving faster can save time.
However, since roads were designed with cars in mind and often don’t notice cyclists riding them. This can result in accidents which are far more severe for cyclists.
Law considers bicycles to be vehicles on the roadways, and must follow the same rules as drivers. Unfortunately, this is not always followed through on; many motorists remain unaware that they must yield to bicyclists in certain situations and this leads to confusion between motorists and cyclists – sometimes leading to collisions which could potentially prove fatal for cyclists. Therefore, education of drivers regarding how they interact with cyclists on public roadways is imperative.
Environmental Impact
Automobiles are one of the primary causes of air pollution. Their greenhouse gasses contribute to global warming while they emit other airborne contaminants like nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter that aggravate air quality issues. Furthermore, cars generate noise pollution that may result in hearing loss and other health problems.
Bike commuting helps mitigate air pollution and congestion on roads. Furthermore, bike commuters reduce road maintenance needs – something good for the environment – as it requires far fewer repairs than cars do and is considerably cheaper to maintain than them as well as offering greater weight transfer during braking and shifting.
Bicycles provide another advantage over cars in traffic by travelling faster. This only holds true if cyclists are willing to risk going through traffic themselves and pass safely; most bicycle accidents occur at intersections due to misunderstandings over who has the right-of-way – especially prevalent in cities where bicycles are widely used.
Ease of Maintenance
Cars are much easier to maintain than bikes, more convenient, and provide features such as air conditioning and seat belts that make using them even simpler. Plus they come equipped with roofs to protect you from the elements – not to mention higher speeds! Furthermore they’re versatile enough for day or night usage with crumple zones and airbags providing extra safety measures.
Even though cars may seem convenient, they come with certain drawbacks – including high fuel costs, traffic jams and parking tickets. As an alternative mode of transport, many are turning to cycling instead – not only does it keep them fitter while simultaneously cutting environmental pollution levels and saving money on car maintenance and insurance premiums, plus eliminating the need for garage storage!