Prioritizing Cycling and Walking - Essay Example

Prioritizing Cycling and Walking Student’s Name Institution Affiliation Prioritizing Cycling and Walking Introduction In urban areas, there are several classes of people that domicile there. Each and every person expects to have a good social life in the urban centers due to the fact these places are said to have social amenities that give comfortable life. All cities in the world tend to have increased population which in return requires robust transport network to enable them to move from one point to another. However, regardless of the presence of developed networks, jams, and other traffic issues have been a problem to most of the city dwellers. Governments and other city municipallities have tried to come up with ways to reduce congestion on the roads one of them banning the used of private cars in routes they feel they are not of much importance and the rest of proposals. All these, problems are due to not recognizing the importance of other methods of transport within cities and other towns which can enable them to decongest roads and traffic jams in a great deal. The social benefits of prioritizing cycling and walking One of the methods that will assist decongestion within the cities is cycling and walking within it when doing business. It will aid in reducing the number of people who use personal cars within the city and town roads. However, the cycling and walking require that the city has a new layout in the way its roads are designed to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians. To encourage people to use this form of transport, it is prudent that those who use this means are encouraged by having proper means of using the kind of transport they have chosen. If most roads within cities and towns are built in a manner that they accommodate cyclists and pedestrians, you will see several benefits within the city. Through cycling, it is possible that most of the people will live a healthy life, as it will double as means of transport and a way of exercising. When a person cyclists for the long distance he will have done exercise. This will enable him/her to eliminate diseases that are associated with a bad lifestyle that is associated with lack of exercises. Diseases like diabetes, heart diseases and cancer can be associated with lack of exercises in a person’s life. The same case applies when a person can walk for long distances he can burn calories and make himself remain fit. All the two means have a positive impact in a person’s life. The methods are best since they do not require sacrifice but a way of enabling them to achieve their daily activities without any problem (Gerald, 2008). Some people prefer to live in a large city, while other people prefer living in small towns. The task of selecting the place to live and the means of transport is an important choice in everyone`s life. Both the means of transport and the place one lives have direct impacts on a person’s life. There are important considerations both groups look at before deciding. Where one chooses to live in a city and has a good selection of good means of transport is important because, in a city, there are numerous apartments for living, amusement, and health awareness. Similarly, a big city is always believed to have nice schools and colleges compared to those in a small town. The fact that cities provide a range of amenities, they provide options for them to be learned. Also, big cities give a greater number of diversions than residential communities, specifically numerous quantities of shopping centers, parks, bistros, and entertainment spots. Conversely, there are individuals who prefer life in small towns. They say despite the fact that their several facilities in large cities, you face a similar number of issues in such urban areas. Overcrowding and also traffic jams in such cities make life so unpleasant and may lead to air contamination. So individuals in big cities are undermined both rationally and physically. Also, there are several crimes that are committed from time to time in big cities; furthermore, life is excessively extravagant in such places. However, on introducing the walking and cycling means of transport, it is possible that the decongestion and the utilization of social amenities will increase due to the reduction of expenses in transport and be directed elsewhere. Though several people have chosen to live in cities as a result of the good social amenities that are available to them, this has resulted in some problem in the cities. Congestion and scramble for various social amenities have been seen as many are seeking them day after day. The means of transport have been one area that has drastically been affected by the congestion within the cities. However, if those responsible for the planning and designing of how various roads within cities can be done, they can encourage the dwellers with the incentive of using cycling and walking as means of transport due to the said got out of using them as a means of transport. Experiencing with numerous sorts of individuals would widen our points of view and also give us numerous chances to enhance ourselves. Besides, fellowship with different people here and there could be valuable in our work environments. Besides that, using walking and cycling will engage individuals as it will take their time in walking. This will reduce the rate of crime within the cities something that will be positive to those who live in the cities. In cases where individuals embark in the use of cycling and walking in the cities, then it will mean that the means cases of accidents on the city roads will reduce. The mortality and cases where people who are left handicapped drastically reduce hence the few danger cases. The road, air, and rail this method both become more critical and harder to accomplish such as the natural environment and interaction with other people. Nature is mostly forgotten in large cities. Both innovation and commercial buildings block us from viewing nature. On the other hand, the qualities that nature issues us ought to be acknowledged and appreciated. Also, through walking and cycling within the cities, individuals will not see the difference that exists between cities and rural areas. Congestion within cities will be reduced using this method. Another noteworthy quality that little urban communities have is the glow and solace of humanity (Campion, 2013). Something special about transport in larger cities is the number of people that they handle in a day. Millions can travel through all means of transport within the cities. People take more time on roads to go to the places where they need to receive services and also get the products that will assist them in their daily lives. Though large cities are the best regarding access to services, they have been made ugly due to the issue of traffic control within cities. All in all, you must choose where to live. A large city will give you both better homes and better recreation facilities. However, you have to be ready to deal with contamination and overcrowding. A small town will give you environmental freshness from nature; similarly, you will experience less criminal activities. In the small towns, life tends to be a bit to be cheap compared to big towns. The fact behind this is that they situated in a rural setup that makes the supply goods and commodities to be cheaper compared to big cities where only commercial activities are being carried out there. Those living in small towns experience a living where they co-exist in a manner that makes them be like a family something that makes them end making relationships that are important and long lasting easily. This exactly different as in the big cities people are busy with their jobs. From the arguments, one can make his/her decision on where he can live as a person (Lucas, 2010). Conclusion Transport remains a key feature in all cities, the design, and plan that should be made should ensure that it brings accommodation for all those who live there. With the fact that within the cities there are many people, use of cycling and walking should be encouraged. Cycling cannot only cause the benefit of moving a person from one point to the other; it can also lead to one having a healthy life. Walking also has it is who benefit as it will help one live a healthy fit life. Where most of the people will result to using of cycling and walking as their means of transport, it will be possible that at the end of the day the congestion and traffic jams will reduce drastically. The cycling and walking means of transport have a wide impact on the social life of many ranging from those with a disability, those who are in the lower class in the community and those who hate being stuck in jams. The option presents an opportunity for one to enjoy life in a city. References Campion, V. (2013, September 18). Sydney's message to Lord Mayor Clover Moore - we're over your bikes. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved from http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/sydney8217s-message-to-lord-mayor-clover-moore-we8217re-over-your-bikes/story-fni0cx12-1226721346780?nk=145ae0cddf83ae42ccc1fb785731bde4 Campion, V. (2013, September 18). Sydney's message to Lord Mayor Clover Moore - we're over your bikes. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved from http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/sydney8217s-message-to-lord-mayor-clover-moore-we8217re-over-your-bikes/story-fni0cx12-1226721346780?nk=145ae0cddf83ae42ccc1fb785731bde4 City of Melbourne Transport Strategy. Retrieved from http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/AboutCouncil/PlansandPublications/strategies/Pages/transportstrategy.aspx Garrard, J. & Rose, G. & Lo, S. (2008). Promoting transportation cycling for women: The role of bicycle infrastructure. Preventive Medicine 46, 1, January 55-59. Kontentreal Productions (Producer) (2006). Bogotá. Design E2: The Economies of Being Environmentally Conscious [DVD]. Series 2 Lucas, C. (2011, July 22). Melbourne gains 'bike city' status. The Age. Retrieved from http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/melbourne-gains-bike-city-status-20110721-1hqx1.html Physics981. Small Towns vs. Big Cities – Where Would You Prefer to Live? 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