Replacing some of your car trips by bicycle is an effective way to decrease air pollution

According to the EPA, motor vehicles are the major sources of urban air pollutants. In Melbourne, their emissions contribute 83 per cent of the carbon monoxide, 41 per cent of hydrocarbons and 63 per cent of nitrogen oxide levels in the air.

However air pollution problems are not confined to the city. Increasing numbers of country people are being affected as traffic in their localities increases.

The high level of motor vehicle use in Australia means that the transport sector accounted for 13% of Australia's total greenhouse gas emission in 2002. Emissions from transport are also the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia with the emissions from the transport sector estimated to rise by 42% between 1990 and 2010.

Many of those trips could be replaced by bicycles. Despite the myth that in Australia the trip distances are bigger, the majority of car trips made in Australian cities are typically less than 5km.

• In 1995, over half (55%) of car trips in Sydney were less than 5km, an easy cycle distance

• 40% of car trips in Metropolitan Melbourne are less than 3km (7 to 8 minute bike ride) 

• Did you know that if every vehicle owner in New South Wales drove an average of one kilometre less each day, we'd save up to 130 million litres of fuel every year? 

• Remember even replacing one return trip a week by bicycle can make a difference to the environment, your health and your hip pocket.