Automobiles have made people’s lives better in various ways, while bicycles and airplanes have not. Automobiles have allowed people to move about with greater ease and comfort, and have played a major part in changing the history of modern society. Bicycles have broken down barriers to people’s movement, but airplanes have given them the freedom to travel further than ever before. Bicycles have made people healthier, while airplanes have decreased human mobility. While both automobiles and airplanes have altered people’s lives, I believe that airplanes have played the greater role.

Automobiles have made it possible for people to travel from point A to B in a shorter period of time. In the early days of the automobile, roads were unpaved, covered with rocks and gravel, or nonexistent. Automobiles could also only handle certain road conditions, such as ice, snow, or muddy roads. As a result, many roads were impassable for automobiles. Climbing hills was very difficult. If a motorist encountered a hill, he or she would have to stop and wait until the wheels turned, causing delays in travel. Bicycles allowed people to travel over unpaved roads and along dangerous terrain. Bicycles could not handle slippery roads or icy roads. The bicycle did not have power steering. When an automobile tire slid on an icy road, the driver could lose control of the vehicle. A bicycle rider could lose control, but he or she could always dismount and proceed on foot. Some bicycles had tires with spikes, making the bicycle handle on icy roads. Although bicycles could not handle slick roads, cyclists could avoid icy roads by riding during the day when the temperature was above freezing. Airplanes solved this problem. Airplanes could easily handle weather conditions, and pilots could quickly land or take off if the weather became too dangerous. Airplanes also could fly above clouds, weather conditions that prevented bicycles from flying. Airplanes allowed people and goods to travel across oceans, mountains, and deserts. Bicycles cannot fly over oceans, and cyclists must use trails that go across mountains, and deserts. Airplanes also allow more material to be transported, which has increased business. Bicycles cannot carry as many goods as airplanes, but a bicycle rider can carry several items. Bicycles can, however, carry several passengers comfortably. Airplanes allow a group of people to travel together, which has reduced the cost of transportation for group travel. Bicycles, on the other hand, allow only an individual to travel at a time, and therefore, the cost of transportation is per person. Bicycles and airplanes have altered the life of people in unique ways. Bicycles allow people to travel further and faster, and airplanes allow people to travel closer together, which has increased business and made people’s lives easier, but airplanes have been the more influential transportation vehicle.