Cycling and climate change are two words that are more closely linked than you might initially expect. And for good reason, because the more often you cycle, the more you contribute to a greener world! In this blog post, we'll explain why more cycling is essential to combat climate change.
How things stand now
As a Dutch person, you're undoubtedly more likely to cycle than someone from, say, Italy. But even here, as a true cycling nation, there's still much to be gained, because ultimately, we have to do it together. The Paris Agreement established 17 sustainability goals for 2030 to reduce CO2 emissions. This legal agreement was signed and adhered to by 196 countries in 2015.
Unfortunately, many measures, innovations, and years have passed since then, and we're still far from reaching the 2030 target. One of the biggest culprits is the transport sector. This needs to change to drastically reduce our CO2 emissions. And how can you contribute?
In Europe, for example, 23% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from the transport sector, of which 70% of CO2 comes from road vehicles ( ECF, 2021 ).
Let's fight with a ride!
You'll probably never guess, but pedaling hard is the answer! A 2021 report shows that cycling is one of the solutions for ensuring a safe and sustainable world. Moreover, cycling more often is directly linked to no fewer than 11 of the 17 sustainability goals ( UCI, 2022 )!
Cycling helps halve CO2 emissions by 2030. - UCI President David Lappartient
So, more cycling! Did you know that in Europe, more than half of trips are within 5 kilometers? For the average person, this is about a 20-minute bike ride. The rise of e-bikes also contributes to greater accessibility for older people, making this possible (UCI, 2022). Using a bike instead of a car for short trips can reduce emissions by as much as 75%. So, if you cycle just one day a week, your carbon footprint can be reduced by half a ton in just one year. Do the math!
So cycling more is not only sustainable, but also incredibly healthy and good for your wallet! It also saves you money on fuel, searching for a parking spot, and other expensive travel expenses.
Cycling against climate change
The words of Jill Warren, CEO of the European Cyclists' Federation , are stark and clear: "There is no way to achieve the necessary CO2 emission reductions by 2030 without more cycling in as many cities as possible. Investing in safe cycling infrastructure and ensuring that citizens can make more of their daily journeys by bike is one of the best things governments can do to mitigate the impact of the climate crisis." (UCI, 2022).
Cycling presents a curious paradox in our modern society. Aside from e-bikes, this centuries-old low-tech device—which has remained virtually unchanged for the past 130 years—is poised to be one of the biggest solutions to combating global warming. Yet, so little is being done with it.
It's time for us, as true cycling enthusiasts, to lead by example! So grab your bike and together, we'll create a greener world, step by step.
