Cars
and
bicycles
are two common means of commuting in a city. While both have their pros and cons, I believe the choice of a "best" means of transportation is situational,
although
I personally prefer
cars
. In the following sections, the advantages and disadvantages of both means of transportation are discussed.
Cars
are
one
of the characteristic features of cities and towns. Motor vehicles are able to provide a fast, comfortable and safe means of travelling from point A to B. In many cultures, automobiles are
also
a status symbol, which adds to their value prospect.
Hence
it is fairly common to see
people
buying a motor
car
as soon as they are able to afford
one
.
However
, the hike in the number of
cars
plying on the road
also
results in
traffic
jams, which is another common scenario in big cities and towns. In Bangladesh, it has been estimated that around 1 billion BDT is lost in
traffic
jams.
Thus
people
who put a big emphasis on the proper usage of time have sought
bicycles
as an efficient means of movement within a city.
The key advantage that a bicycle poses is the fact that it is often not required to be stuck in a
traffic
jam. Being a small vehicle, a bicycle is able to cut through the tiny gaps between vehicles and
thus
avoid
traffic
jams.
Additionally
, cycling requires a fair amount of physical exercise which is highly beneficial from a health perspective.
Moreover
,
bicycles
are fairly cheap and
thus
affordable for a large group of
people
.
However
, most cities suffer from the problems of air and sound pollution. A bicycle rider is unfortunately exposed more to the different harmful particles in the air, which might lead to respiratory complications and other health issues. In
this
regard, an individual inside a
car
is usually protected from
such
forms of pollution to some extent.
From the above discussion, it can be observed that it is difficult to pick an overall "best" means of transport as both of them provide numerous advantages and disadvantages.
However
, for many
people
, including myself, a
car
is not just a medium of transportation. For
such
individuals, a
car
is analogous to a child, which
one
cares for, provides for and seeks to avoid any form of injury. Driving has
also
been found to be therapeutic for many
people
, helping them overcome moments of depression and sadness.
Thus
, in conclusion, it is fairly difficult to pick the best vehicle between
cars
and
bicycles
. Ultimately, it boils down to
one
's preferences and priorities. For me,
however
, I prefer
cars
.