"Think globally, act locally" is a term which has long been used by environmentalists, and it is one which we ought to adopt more in our everyday life, particularly as Beijing is often enveloped in smog, and the authorities strive to reduce the pollution which contributes to this toxic cocktail.

We can practice what we preach in many different ways, such as avoiding wasteful consumption of material goods and energy.

And one of the most practical ways this can be done is by adopting the mantra "two wheels good, four wheels bad" and using the most practical form of transport for short and medium-length urban journeys - the bicycle, which will not only reduce the carbon footprint of your journey to zero, but also help to keep you fit and healthy.