Can cycling help fight global warming?

The pandemic has dramatically changed our world. From Bogotá to Berlin, cities responded to the new situation by creating temporary bike lanes and closing streets to cars, among other things, to allow pedestrians and cyclists to maintain the required distance. In some places, bike rentals were deemed "critically important" and were among the few allowed to continue operating. Fortunately, the worst of the crisis seems to be behind us. However, it seems that some of these initiatives will be here to stay.

Bicycle as a tool in the fight against global warming

It's been known for years that transport is one of the largest sources of CO2 emissions and the resulting progressive global warming . Even a bus trip reduces our carbon footprint by half. But what about cycling? Some might think that bicycles produce no carbon dioxide at all. Well, no fuel, no engine, no exhaust fumes? Not so fast. Bicycles also need to be manufactured, and although they don't use fuel, they are powered by human energy. And this energy comes from food. Unfortunately, its production causes some CO2 emissions. So the question is: exactly how much, and how does this compare to cars? This was precisely calculated by the ECF (European Cyclists Federation) in 2013 and presented in the report "Cycle more often 2 cool down the planet! Quantifying CO2 savings of cycling." And here's the good news. Producing a bicycle emits 5g of CO2 per kilometer traveled. That's about one-tenth of what it emits in a passenger car. Add to this the CO2 emissions, which are a function of the average European diet, which add another 16g per kilometer. In summary, cycling generates about 21g of CO2 emissions per kilometer—again, more than ten times less than driving a car!

Who loves cities full of cars, noise and exhaust fumes?

Recent months have made city dwellers more aware of the extent to which cars contribute to air and noise pollution. Forced stay-at-home orders and restrictions on public transport have dramatically impacted the appearance of large urban centers. But above all, cycling has proven to be the ideal way to get around in this completely new situation. It offers a level of safety unmatched by crowded metros or buses. It's no surprise, then, that the European Union is strongly focusing on climate-neutral development. This will be the foundation for the economic recovery program. During a press conference on May 28th, EU Commissioner Frans Timmermans reaffirmed the benefits of cycling. Among other things, support for investment in cycling infrastructure was announced as part of the EU's recovery plan for the COVID-19 crisis. During his speech on May 28th, he included the promotion of cycling on the EU's agenda as part of the European Commission's Green Deal. These actions follow the European Commission's proposal for a cycling package (worth €13 billion for infrastructure and access to electric bikes) submitted by six European associations of cyclists and two-wheeler manufacturers (CIE, CONEBI, ECF, ECLF, IMBA EU, and EBMA). It's a shame that Poland isn't actively participating in such initiatives. We explore the reasons for this on our blog.

Can bicycles reduce unemployment?

The challenges of global warming are also high on the agendas of many other organizations. Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a UN-adopted action program of unprecedented scope and importance, defining a model of sustainable development at the global level. According to the 2030 Agenda, contemporary modernization efforts should focus on eliminating poverty in all its manifestations, while simultaneously achieving a range of economic, social, and environmental goals. A number of more detailed solutions and proposals are being developed within this program. The report " Riding towards a green economy: Cycling and green jobs " estimates the impact of changing the approach to transport (promoting bicycles) on the labor market. It turns out that increasing travel in 56 of Europe's largest cities to the level of Copenhagen will add 435,000 additional jobs. A promising prospect, perhaps, given the economic crisis caused by the current pandemic?

Climate neutrality

Climate neutrality will be difficult to achieve. But it is possible. Cycling, and more broadly, low-emission modes of transport, are important. But the key is changing the way energy is generated and stored .