A fair post and something to consider. I think about the amount of exhaust I'm inhaling, especially as I cross the 14th St. bridge within feet of commuter traffic. Does it keep me off of the bike? No way, I know the benefits far outweigh the risks.

A good analogy is the current debate in Alexandria regarding the Mirant Power plant. It's a coal buring electric supplier to DC that many are trying to shut down. Even though they burn the top 99% cleanest coal and have EPA regulated cleansers and emissions safeguards, many who live nearby, claim to have respiratory problems, soot on their cars, and are at increased risk of sickness. I, however, could claim just the opposite. I live directly across the street from this plant (and ride past it daily) but my proximity to it, one could argue, has allowed for a more active lifestyle and increased physical fitness and overall health. The fact that I'm close enough to work to ride everday is a more significant health factor than the plant's negligable emissions. A sedintary person, for example, who lives in the pollution free country, it may be argued, may be less healthy than an active person in the city. The fact that I'm near this power plant is largely incidental as it pertains to my health-the bigger factor is the accessability to the bike path and work. Recent pulminary function tests came back at "over 100%" in every catagory-contradicting the idea that this behemoth is killing everyone in its path. The greater likliehood is that, while coal emissions most likely aren't good for one's health, other factors such as: age, activity level, diet, etc are bigger contributors to one's health.

So, in a very long winded, convoluted, and admittadly circuitous kind of way, what I'm trying to say is that it is far better to be an active, health-concious person who lives near a city than a sedintary person who lives in the country. I guess the ideal situation would be an active person who lives and works in the country and doesn't have to work-allowing him/her to ride their bike at their leisure. Huhhhhhhhh......