While attempts to decrease carbon emissions to slow climate change has been mainly focused on alternative energy and electric vehicles, it turns out a great option has been in front of us all along and that is bicycling. While many in the US views bicycling as leisure activity, the fact the many people in the world use it as a daily commute tool.
Some passenger car emissions account for half of the emissions from transportation and continued reliance and demand for such is unsustainable in many ways. A study published in journal Communications Earth and Environment explores the benefit on carbon emissions if daily commute is switched to bicycling.
Of the 60 countries analyzed, they found that bicycling accounted for commuting in only 5%. Comparing bicycle ownership to actual use, they found that in much of the upper-income countries where bicycle ownership is high, ownership does not mean actual use. (That’s kind of pathetic).
On the other hand, many great countries rely on cars much less than the US and utilize bicycles more. For example, in Denmark, people on average cycle 1 mile each day for some sort of commute. If the whole world does this, the world would save 414 million metric tons of CO2 a year, an equivalent of Britain’s current annual carbon emissions.
In the Netherlands where they bicycle 1.6 miles daily on average. If the world emulate this active and self-reliant lifestyle, the world would save about 686 million metric tons of CO2. Putting it almost close to Canada’s annual emissions.
“A worldwide pro-bicycle policy and infrastructure development enabled modal shift like the Netherlands and Denmark can lead to significant untapped climate and health benefits,” wrote the authors.
In addition to direct carbon emissions saved from riding bicycles instead of cars, there are also a whole host of benefits including natural resources save from making a bicycle compared to a whole car, the health benefits of being active with riding a bicycle, and decrease in air pollution leading to even further benefits for society’s health.
Bicycles aren’t just for leisure, they’re a powerful tool in making yourself stronger doing everyday activities and decreasing the amount of damage on the planet. Also, stop buying “bicycles” where you just pedal in place at home; this sounds pathetic. So stop being a coward and choose a bicycle instead of car for even the shortest commute.
W Chen et al. Historical patterns and sustainability implications of worldwide bicycle ownership and use. Communications Earth & Environment (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s43247-022-00497-4
