Riding bicycles can significantly impact reducing carbon emissions, according to a recent transportation research paper published in Springer Nature's "Communications Earth & Environment."

The paper provides substantial quantitative data, suggesting that if every person on Earth cycles 1.6 kilometres per day, similar to the cycling patterns in Denmark, it could potentially reduce global carbon emissions by 414 million tons annually.

If each person cycles 2.6 kilometres per day, akin to the cycling patterns in the Netherlands, the global reduction in carbon emissions could be as much as 686 million tons annually.

The paper notes that the transportation sector contributes a quarter of global fuel-related greenhouse gas emissions, with half coming from private vehicles, including cars and trucks. While cycling is known to reduce emissions, bicycles constitute only a tiny part of transportation in most countries.

The historical patterns of global bicycle production, trade, inventory, and usage have not been adequately analyzed, hindering a comprehensive investigation into the role of bicycles in sustainable road transportation.

The lead author of the paper, Liu Gang from the University of Southern Denmark, and collaborators compiled a global dataset covering bicycle ownership and usage from 1962 to 2015. They found that the growth rate of global bicycle production exceeded that of cars during this period, with China accounting for 65.7% of global bicycle production in 2015, followed by Brazil (5%), India (4%), Italy (2%), and Germany (2%).

They also observed that high bicycle ownership does not necessarily translate to high bicycle usage, as cycling constitutes less than 5% of daily travel in most countries worldwide.

The authors emphasize the need for global policy planning and infrastructure development to promote sustainable cycling. This includes implementing taxation policies to discourage excessive car use, promoting cycling education and culture, and effectively planning and constructing bicycle lanes. They conclude that adopting supportive cycling policies and infrastructure similar to those in Denmark and the Netherlands globally could unleash significant climate benefits.

The research underscores the immense potential of cycling as a sustainable solution to mitigate carbon emissions in the transportation sector. The study reveals that, if globally adopted, cycling patterns like those in Denmark and the Netherlands could yield substantial climate benefits, reducing annual carbon emissions by hundreds of millions of tons.

However, the disparity between bicycle ownership and usage highlights the need for concerted efforts in global policy planning and infrastructure development. Implementing taxation policies, fostering cycling education, advocating a cycling culture, and strategic bicycle lane planning are crucial steps.

The findings call for a collective commitment to sustainable commuting practices, emphasizing that a shift towards cycling-friendly policies and infrastructure can contribute significantly to addressing climate change on a global scale.