+Roody,

Could you please quote the sources that state that China is trying to leapfrog over inefficient and unhealthy technologies? Most of the sources I've come across state the contrary. One fact they do state is China opens up a new coal plant at a rate of one per week. Furthermore, they are rapidly moving away from bicycle transportation. Are you aware that General Motors sold more cars in China this past month than they did here in the US? China's air quality is so bad in Beijing that for Summer Olympics they held there they declared a a holiday just so the air quality would be passable for most of the events. Even then some of the cyclists refused to participate because they couldn't breathe.

I may have stated this elsewhere, but before the bicycle becomes a common mode of transportation the whole taxing structure for transportation will have to be changed. Currently city and state governments tax on the weight of the vehicle. Assuming they got rid of cars and trucks tomorrow how do you suppose they would keep up all these wonderful roads that we ride upon? Even the heaviest cargo bicycle weighs no more than 100 pounds fully loaded would you be willing to be taxed to the tune of several thousands of dollars for the privilege of cycle transportation to make up the shortfall for the lack of cars and trucks?

Let's not forget some of the other industries that would be impacted such as insurance. What happens to all the insurance companies when there are fewer cars and trucks to be insured? If for some reason we have to carry insurance on bicycles are you willing to be charged the same rate that you are with a car to keep the insurance industry going? The simple truth is a bicycle would not require as much insurance therefore there wouldn't be as big a need for as many insurance companies; consequently there would be fewer people employed.