For all things bikes

You may argue that there is no need for a study to demonstrate how riding a bicycle is greener than other modes of transport.

But, what the European Cyclists' Federation (ECF) shows in a recently released report, is concrete data on emissions savings that cycling makes, which may be a crucial factor to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHS) in the EU.

According to the research, even taking into account the production, maintenance and fuel - yes, you need to eat sometimes to be able to cycle - related to bicycle use, emissions from cycling were over 10 times lower than those coming from cars.

European's 2050 GHG reduction targets for transport are somehow unrealistic in the opinion of many critics, and recent reports affirm that the EU will not achieve the reduction of transport emissions by 60% between 1990 and 2050 through technology alone.

According to ECF cycling - compared to cars, buses and electric bikes - could help the EU achieve its 2050 GHG reduction targets for transport. They take the example of the Danes, who cycle an average of just 2.6km a day. If the rest of EU citizens were to ride as much as them, it would help the EU meet more than a quarter of the targeted emission reductions for the transport sector.

"Cycle 5kms a day and we reach 50 percent of the target," said Benoit Blondel, ECF's environment and health policy officer.

"The potential for cycling to achieve these targets is huge and with such little effort. Getting more people on bikes is going to be a lot cheaper than getting more electric cars on the road," he added.

With the EU importing 955 million barrels of crude oil per year, the reduction we could make cycling at Danish levels would be of about 96 million barrels.

"If we're serious about meeting these targets we're going to have to change our behaviour. It's not about moving less. It's about the way we move, and the transport choices governments make available," Blondel concluded. 

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