Concern about the environment is inspiring people everywhere to take steps, both big and small, towards reducing their carbon footprint and their personal pollution levels. From composting to recycling there are tons of ways to keep your environmental impact in check. However, there's one key environmentally motivated change you can make that will benefit not only the world, but you! By using your bike as a primary mode of transportation you can do your part to save the world, and save yourself.

One of the best ways biking makes the world better is by making you fitter and happier. Bikes are less dangerous to pedestrians, cause less pollution in cities and contribute to an overall higher quality of life. Biking in your community gets you out there, interacting with people on a daily basis and improves your mood not only through exercise but also by removing that bubble of an automobile. It makes you look around and see your world, and this helps you be more invested in it and care more about the people and places you see every day.

Bikes take less of a toll on the environment right from the production line. The sheer energy devoted to mining ore, turning in into steel, and piecing a car together is a massive undertaking compared to the natural resources tied up in the production of a bicycle. This may seem obvious, but a bike runs on you, not gasoline, so there's another environmentally harmful industry we can get rid of by biking. Bikes also don't eat up natural resources, or your financial ones, with their maintenance. Bike repairs versus car repairs are night and day as far as needed skills go. Most bike shops offer workshops or classes teaching you the basics of how to change or repair a bike tire, and how to do simple maintenance like replacing a broken or missing chain. Think of all that leftover money you can use to buy yourself a little guilt free, fair-trade treat!

Now let's take a look at the real ways biking can help the environment. Biking benefits the biker and reduces obesity. Lower obesity levels mean lower food needs, and therefore lower food production related pollution. America's transportation-related carbon dioxide emissions are more than any other nation's entire economy, except for China. This is a huge pollution burden that we can all work to reduce by not only not driving our cars, but by eschewing public transit and riding our bikes.

Starting to use your bike for transportation can be intimidating at first, especially for women. The best way to make sure you're comfortable is to start slowly and be sure to ride a bike that fits you. Women riders can have a particularly hard timing finding a bike suited to them. Check out this list of great women's bikes to ensure you have a comfortable ride. Following all laws of the road is always recommended, as is wearing a helmet, installing bike lights and wearing reflective clothing if you plan on biking in the dark.

Maybe you already ride your bike for fun and for the occasional commute but are looking to make it your primary source of transportation. You'll want to prepare for difficult weather conditions like rain and cold. You may want to invest in a good waterproof biking bag if you plan on riding to your office. This will keep your work clothes in good condition no matter the weather. Dressing in layers and including a waterproof top layer are also good steps towards ensuring that you don't give up on your goal to bike as your primary transportation. Sun and heat can present their own problems. Installing a water bottle bracket on your bike to stay hydrated is key to a comfortable ride.

Biking once in a while is great, but what about special circumstances like transporting a lot of stuff, like groceries? You might simply try a hiking backpack to carry everything in one your weekly grocery trips. If you find this difficult there are many cargo basket products you can attach to the back of your bike. Once you start to think strategically, you'll find that maybe you don't need to buy 32 cans of Diet Coke all at once. More frequent, smaller trips to the grocery store can encourage you to buy fresh foods that are better for you. Frequenting neighborhood stores because they are closer can invest you in the community, and make you care more about the products offered there.

Eventually, you probably will have to haul large amounts of stuff. Cat litter, dog food and once in a while groceries can all add up quickly and become too difficult to transport home. In this case, you might consider getting involved in your local biking community and see if there is a program that offers one day rental of a trailer bike specifically balanced to haul a lot of stuff. Transporting kids can also complicate matters but even this can be done safely. Used children's bike trailers can be found in classifieds and consignment sales of kids items in almost every city. As long as you abide by the weight limits, bike safely and make sure your kid wears a helmet you shouldn't have any trouble. Think of the example you're setting for your tiny environmentalists!

Biking is great for you, great for the environment and great for you community. Using a bike as your primary mode of transportation can reduce pollution, benefit your health and benefit your community. Don't be discouraged at the start. As long as you take steps to be sure you are safe and comfortable, you're sure to keep doing good for years to come.