Can Cycling Reduce Environmental Inequalities in the World?

For decades, developed countries have been the largest contributors to global emissions. Today, emerging economies like China or India, driven by rapid industrialisation and fossil fuel reliance, are following suit, further intensifying the climate crisis. As 2024 marks record-breaking CO2 levels, an undeniable truth emerges: climate change disproportionately impacts communities with fewer resources, weaker infrastructure and limited access to clean technologies, despite them contributing the least to the crisis.

Although developed nations generally benefit from green innovations, significant disparities remain between them, with many still facing poorly transport systems and inaccessible technologies. Meanwhile, developing nations struggle even more, bearing the brunt of pollution, extreme weather and environmental degradation, with little capacity to respond.

In this scenario, imagine a world where the simple act of cycling could play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between privilege and vulnerability. Could global investments in high-quality infrastructure and public transport pave the way for more accessible and sustainable mobility options, with cycling playing an important role in a broader solution? Could these investments empower the most affected by climate injustice?

TRANSPORT SECTOR – A SHIFT TOWARD CYCLING

The way we move shapes the world we live in. Transportation is one of the largest contributors to global CO2 emissions, deepening environmental injustices. In 2024, the transport sector emitted 8.4 gigatonnes of CO2, with limited progress in reducing this impact. In the EU, transport remains the only economic sector where emissions still exceed 1990 levels, despite advancements such as electric vehicles and improved transit systems.

This highlights the need for a systemic transformation. Strategic investment in high-quality infrastructure and public transport has the potential to be a powerful equaliser, driving the adoption of affordable, efficient and low-emission transportation options. Such investments not only reduce the environmental impact of the transport sector but also provide equitable mobility solutions accessible to all.

In this context, cycling emerges as an indispensable element. The development of safe infrastructure and enhanced public transport options fosters a sustainable and healthy lifestyle, encouraging more people to use bicycles. By creating an integrated mobility system that combines different modes of transport, these investments offer flexible, efficient solutions tailored to the needs of the urban commuter. For example, the installation of secure bike parking at key transit points, such as train stations or bus stops, enables seamless transitions between cycling and public transport, accommodating varying journey lengths. Additionally, policy measures that facilitate the carriage of bicycles on public transport, by eliminating restrictive barriers, encourage shared use and further enhance intermodal connectivity. Incorporating cycling into public transport networks through bike-sharing schemes, alongside the construction of safe cycling infrastructure, not only improves accessibility but also promotes the seamless integration of cycling into everyday transport choices, supporting the broader agenda of sustainable urban mobility.

Unlike cars or motorcycles, which contribute significantly to air pollution and climate change, bike riding and well-integrated public transportation generate low or zero emissions. Choosing to cycle instead of driving just once a day can reduce an individual’s transport-related carbon emissions by 67%.

Beyond the environmental benefits, cycling in low-income areas offers a vital bridge to opportunity. It provides a means of accessing education, healthcare and employment, all without the financial burden of car ownership. In rural areas, bikes break isolation and create new opportunities, offering mobility where other forms of transport are scarce. In La Guajira, Colombia, Buffalo Bicycles have transformed education access, reducing absenteeism by 36% and reducing 58% late arrivals. These bikes also helped families transport water, with 63% of students using them for this purpose. With 70% of bikes going to female students, the initiative empowers young women and strengthens communities.

For cycling to reach its full transformative potential, safe infrastructure and dedicated spaces are essential; without them, it remains an impractical option for many. The real challenge now is not whether cycling can reduce environmental inequalities, but how we can integrate it as a core pillar of sustainable urban mobility.

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION: A GLOBAL COMMITMENT TO CHANGE

Addressing environmental inequalities goes beyond adopting greener practices – it is about recognising responsibility and redistributing resources where they are needed most. Developed nations, with the means and moral duty to act, must support sustainable mobility in regions most affected. Initiatives like the ACTIVE programme, led by the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, exemplify this approach by training 10.000 mobility experts in the Global South and providing funding via the Active Mobility Fund. By sharing expertise in urban planning, road safety and sustainable transport policies, it empowers communities to adopt tailored cycling solutions that address transport challenges and reduce emissions.

However, financial support alone is not enough; a mindset shift is needed to recognise bikes not as symbols of poverty, but as tools for empowerment and climate justice. This means rethinking car-centric urban planning and prioritising cycling as a legitimate transport solution.

The adoption of the European Declaration on Cycling is a significant achievement, as the first inter-institutional policy at the European level that recognises cycling as a fully-fledged mode of transport and underscores its importance for society and economy.

On a global scale, the Partnership for Active Travel and Health (PATH) is a growing coalition driving a fundamental shift in how governments perceive cycling. After active travel was recognised in the Transport Declaration at COP26, thanks to a key campaign, PATH's ongoing advocacy led to another milestone at COP29. There, active mobility was included into a new climate target, strengthening cycling and walking in global policy.

A clear vision is only the beginning– real progress requires targeted investments. A notable example is the EU Social Climate Fund, which allocates nearly €87 billion to increase the availability, accessibility and affordability of low-emission alternatives in the building and transport sector. At the ECF, we remain committed to ensuring cycling’s central role in these funding mechanisms, reinforcing its importance in driving a fairer, more sustainable future.

CYCLING AS A CATALYST FOR GLOBAL EQUITY

Global investments in high-quality infrastructure and public transport go beyond reducing emissions; they are essential for fostering equity and inclusivity worldwide. Cycling, as a cost-effective and accessible mode of transport, plays a key role in addressing transport poverty and supporting wider public transportation and infrastructure efforts. By prioritising cycling, we challenge the unsustainable development models that perpetuate exclusion and environmental degradation, while redefining our relationship with the environment. This paradigm shift combats pollution, resource overexploitation and opens the door to a future where access to a healthy environment is a universal right, not a privilege defined by social class or geography.