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The most compelling and obvious reason not to drive is because of the overwhelming evidence from scientists that we are harming the atmosphere upon which we depend for our survival.
So far, replacement technologies have either not been invested in or simply displace the problem rather than solving it. Arnold Schwarzenegger's laudable "hydrogen highway" has yet to materialize. Auto firms continue to lobby against legislation for efficiency standards, despite already losing out in the gas-guzzling market because of rising oil prices. And the Presidents' drive for biofuels is causing the acceleration of the destruction of rainforests which could have helped to save us.

As I became aware of these problems I decided to try to scale down my use of fossil fuels and the first step was to get rid of our second car (my wife and I had one each) in favor of a scooter. I was deeply attached to my Vespa and it saved me around $900 per year getting to work at the same time. Then it was stolen from outside my house. I was forced to cycle to work for a few weeks while I waited for insurance money to come through. To my own astonishment I grew to love it. I lost weight, my asthma disappeared, I was more alert at the start of the working day, and I actually enjoyed the trip. When the insurance money came, I bought myself a laptop, an ipod and a camera with the money and never looked back. My wife and I went on a cycling holiday this summer and want to do the same again soon.
I can't claim to be so virtuous as to have taken to the bike on principle alone but I'm very glad I was forced to by circumstance. Once you're over the initial pain barrier of getting a basic level of fitness, it's great fun.
If we want a planet to drive on, we're going to have to stop driving at least until it becomes safe to do so. When it becomes safe to do so, I'm going to keep cycling just for the fun of it.

Learn more about this author, Matt Carmichael.
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