IELTS Essay # 55 - Many people believe that cycling is a healthy and environmentally friendly mode of transport. However, it is still unpopular in many countries. What are the reasons? What could be done to encourage the use of bicycles among wider population?

Essay # 55

Many people believe that cycling is a healthy and environmentally friendly mode of transport. However, it is still unpopular in many countries. What are the reasons? What could be done to encourage the use of bicycles among wider population?

It has been quite a while since bicycles went out of fashion. But they’re becoming popular again now with few people thanks to the realization of them being healthy and environmentally friendly. This essay shall discuss the widespread unwantedness regarding use of bicycles, and ways to promote them.

Cycling is all well and good, but many people say it's not practical as a mode of transport, and rightfully so. First of all, it's slow; it also gets you hot and sweaty so it’s not an ideal transport to go to work. Also, it’d become very cumbersome to ride in formals or other clothing unfit for cycling. More importantly, you can't carry things, especially heavy objects. When the weather is bad, cycling is difficult or impossible. Many people can't ride a bike, or are too unfit, or too elderly. Trips with children have to be made by car.

Nevertheless, we see children cycling to school every day in many countries. Lately, a few health conscious people, including people above 50 too, have started cycling to short distances before and after office hours, like for buying the groceries or going for a visit to the mall. Most of the barriers that stand in the way of cycling being a practical, convenient mode of transport are to do with the environment in which people currently have to cycle, like uneven roads or no bicycling lanes. Longer trips can be made with ease, with suitably designed cycling infrastructure.

Making cycles attractive is also an option that can be considered. Manufacturers can provide swanky bikes for the consumers with facilities like multiple gears, and modish colour combinations and a stylish appearance. But above all this, the conditions need to be suitable for cycling to become an exertion-free, enjoyable and fulfilling experience for people.

In conclusion, I’d say that people are steadily becoming aware about the overweighing benefits of cycling, but there’s still a long way to go for the people addicted to pedal-free transport. No-one is suggesting that every single trip has to be made by bike, but many trips can be made, if we made it attractive enough as an option.

(357 words)