On Your Bike Poem by Douglas Scotney

To get me on my bike
and reduce fumes, ha,
stats say average fumes are damaging my health
far less than not cycling would
if that's the main resistance I get.

Are stats also saying,
'You can cope with a lot more fumes
and that's what you'll have to do
now the economy's down;
a lot more will have to cycle
and drive older cars;
We'll have to invite dirtier companies to town;

'Get on your bike or we might
even have to slacken control
and step up coal'?