Cycling’s Essential Role in Combating Climate Change: Lessons from COP26
Global cycling advocacy at COP26 shows how pedal power can dramatically cut carbon emissions and transform urban mobility for a sustainable future.
As the world gathered in Glasgow for the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), an unprecedented coalition of cycling organizations pushed a critical message: increasing cycling is one of the fastest, most impactful strategies for reducing carbon emissions globally. This article explores the advocacy efforts, scientific underpinnings, and policy outcomes surrounding cycling at COP26, and why governments everywhere must prioritize the bicycle for a zero-carbon future.
The Rising Urgency: Why Transport Must Decarbonize
Transportation accounts for nearly one quarter of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions stemming from fuel combustion, with road vehicles comprising almost 75% of those emissions. Alarmingly, these numbers are stagnating or even rising. The widespread reliance on private cars not only accelerates climate change but also leads to deadly levels of air pollution, causing an estimated seven million deaths annually worldwide.
- Transport: 24% of global direct CO2 emissions by sector.
- Road vehicles: Account for three-quarters of these emissions.
- Air pollution: An estimated 7 million annual deaths, mostly from pollution linked to vehicles.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has named cycling as a key pathway to achieving not just reduced carbon emissions, but also broader goals for a liveable, sustainable world.
The COP26 Breakthrough: Cycling Earns a Seat at the Table
Before COP26, cycling was too often an afterthought in high-level climate negotiations, usually overshadowed by the focus on electric vehicles and technological solutions. In Glasgow, however, a coalition of 350 organizations—led by the European Cyclists’ Federation—launched a global campaign for cycling to be recognized as a primary solution for climate action. What began as an open letter signed by 60 groups quickly ballooned to 350 signatories representing cycling advocates worldwide.
Their advocacy paid off. For the first time in history, the official COP26 Transport Declaration included explicit recognition of “active travel” (cycling and walking) alongside zero-emission vehicles:
“We recognise that alongside the shift to zero emission vehicles, a sustainable future for road transport will require wider system transformation, including support for active travel, public and shared transport.”
This landmark recognition moved cycling from the policy margins to the heart of international climate discourse, setting a precedent for future negotiations (notably at COP27 and beyond).
Why Cycling? The Science Behind the Solution
Cycling is not a speculative technology—it is a proven, immediate solution with clear benefits:
- Zero direct emissions: Bicycles produce no tailpipe emissions and negligible total lifecycle emissions compared to cars and trucks.
- Impressive CO2 reductions: New research indicates that just one additional cycling trip per person reduces lifecycle CO2 emissions by 14%. Each car trip avoided reduces emissions by 62%.
- Substantial per kilometer savings: Switching from car to bicycle saves 150 grams of CO2 per kilometer traveled.
- E-cargo bikes: These can cut carbon emissions by 90% compared with diesel delivery vans for urban logistics.
What others are reading
| Action | CO2 Reduction | Additional Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| One new cycling trip (per person) | -14% life-cycle CO2 | Fewer car trips, improved air quality |
| Avoided car trip (per trip) | -62% CO2 | Decreased congestion, safety gains |
| Urban e-cargo bike delivery | -90% CO2 vs diesel van | Quieter, safer streets |
| Shift one car trip/week to cycling or walking | -0.5 tons CO2/year | Health improvements, lower transport costs |
Even switching to cycling, walking, or public transport for just one day a week can reduce an individual’s carbon footprint by about half a tonne of CO2 annually.
Beyond Carbon: Multiple Benefits of Cycling
While cutting greenhouse gas emissions is a top priority, cycling delivers a suite of additional benefits:
- Public health gains: Reduced air pollution and a more active population decrease risks of respiratory illnesses, heart disease, and obesity.
- Economic resilience: Bicycles are affordable to own, operate, and maintain; cycling infrastructure yields large societal returns on investment.
- Equity and access: Cycling offers affordable, reliable mobility for those without access to cars or public transit.
- Urban liveability: Quieter streets, less congestion, more vibrant public spaces, and safer neighborhoods.
Importantly, investing in cycling also sparks high rates of return: according to studies, for every dollar spent, cities see multiple dollars in benefits from improved health, better air, and reduced congestion.
Policy Recommendations from the Cycling Coalition
Cycling advocacy groups put forth a clear set of recommendations for governments at every level. Their call to action includes:
- Commit to significantly increasing the number of people cycling in their countries.
- Build and maintain high-quality cycling infrastructure—safe lanes, secure bike parking, and clear signage.
- Integrate cycling with public transport systems, allowing people to easily combine trips.
- Adopt policies and incentives that encourage replacing car trips with cycling, walking, and other forms of active travel.
- Improve road safety for all vulnerable users, not just motorists.
- Ensure cycling is equitable and accessible to all demographics and communities, including marginalized groups.
Active mobility—cycling and walking—must be a cornerstone of national, regional, and local strategies to meet net-zero carbon goals.
Breaking the Electric Vehicle Monopoly
Prior to COP26, much of the policy focus for transport decarbonization rested on the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). While EVs are critical for eliminating fossil-fuel reliance, they cannot alone decarbonize the sector quickly enough:
- Systemic transformation is required: A sole focus on electric cars misses the opportunity for immediate, low-cost emissions cuts that cycling delivers.
- Shared and active travel: Effective climate strategies require mode shift, reducing overall car use by prioritizing active and shared transport options.
- Life-cycle emissions matter: Even “zero-emission” vehicles have substantial carbon footprints from manufacturing, maintenance, and infrastructure needs.
The COP26 declaration’s new language “broke the electric vehicle monopoly on climate transport discussions and established active travel as a legitimate, immediate climate solution alongside longer-term technological fixes.”
The Global Advocacy Moment: Building a Movement, Setting a Precedent
The joint letter and coordinated campaign marked a high-water point for cycling advocacy. By bringing together hundreds of organizations, the movement:
- Demonstrated unprecedented global coordination and unity of purpose.
- Moved cycling from an overlooked policy option to an officially recognized climate solution at the United Nations level.
- Provided cycling organizations leverage in national and local government negotiations going forward.
- Laid the diplomatic foundation for integrating active travel into future COP negotiations.
This achievement gives cycling advocates official standing in climate forums, offering new hope for permanent and ambitious policy changes worldwide.
Action Steps: What Must Happen Next?
As world leaders move from commitments to action, several essential next steps emerge:
- Political commitment: National governments must enshrine support for cycling in climate and transportation policy.
- Financial investment: Robust, sustained funding for cycling infrastructure, education, and promotion.
- Public engagement: Communication campaigns that normalize and incentivize cycling for all demographics and abilities.
- Integration: Smart urban planning that connects cycling, walking, and public transport into a seamless system.
- Equity focus: Ensure policies actively benefit vulnerable and marginalized populations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why was cycling’s recognition at COP26 so significant?
A: For the first time, active travel—including cycling—was officially acknowledged in a major climate summit declaration, giving advocates leverage for policy and funding at a global scale.
Q: Can cycling alone decarbonize the transport sector?
A: No, but it is one of the fastest, most effective solutions for immediate emissions cuts. Cycling must be combined with public transit improvements, safe infrastructure, and incentives to reduce car use for the greatest impact.
Q: How much carbon can individuals save by switching from car to bike?
A: Swapping one car trip for a bicycle trip can save about 150g CO2 per kilometer; replacing just one car journey a week could cut individual emissions by roughly half a tonne per year.
Q: Is cycling only a solution for cities?
A: While cycling delivers outsized benefits in urban contexts, well-designed infrastructure can enable cycling in suburban and rural areas, especially when matched with public transport integration.
Q: What are the biggest barriers to scaling up cycling?
A: Insufficient infrastructure, traffic safety concerns, lack of integration with public transport, cultural perceptions, and absence of policy incentives are major obstacles.
Conclusion: Pedal Power for a Sustainable World
With official recognition at COP26, cycling has moved from a fringe policy idea to the center of global climate action. Its ability to cut emissions quickly, affordably, and equitably—while delivering cascading health and economic benefits—makes cycling a critical ingredient of any serious strategy to tackle climate change. The next decade must be defined by bold investment in, and political commitment to, making cycling a safe, accessible, and appealing choice for millions around the world. The future of the planet may depend on it.
References
Similar Articles
Read full bio of medha deb
