# The Environmental Benefits of Riding a Bike

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/11/the-environmental-benefits-of-riding-a-bike/
- Published: 2021-11-05T11:40:08-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

The number of cars on our planet is growing every year: About 1.446 billion vehicles
will be on Earth in 2021. Because of this, fuel consumption and, consequently, oil
production is increasing. By burning fuel in internal combustion engines, we poison
ourselves with toxic substances and change the climate. Green zones are rolled into
the asphalt under new roads and parking lots to accommodate even more cars in our
cities, but this cannot fundamentally solve the problem. [Bikes](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/06/how-to-bike-like-a-local-in-amsterdam/),
however, [are one solution](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/10/green-bike-safety-a-growing-concern-for-automakers/).

You can find a calculator on the Internet and use it to determine how many harmful
substances are emitted into the atmosphere by different types of transport. It shows
carbon dioxide emissions, which affects [climate change](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/01/which-countries-climate-change-survival-ready/),
and nitrogen dioxide, a dangerous substance to health.

![The environmental benefits of riding a bike](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.
com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/martin-magnemyr-iBezxokto8g-unsplash.jpg?resize=420%
2C280&quality=52&ssl=1 "The Environmental Benefits of Riding a Bike - The Green 
Living Guy")

## **Solution**

One of the main ways to tackle the problem of air pollution on the planet is to 
have fewer cars on the streets. But it would be best if you still drove something
around the city. The most sustainable alternative to personal vehicles is bicycles.
Undoubtedly, big cities like Tokyo, Delhi, or Shanghai cannot completely switch 
to bicycles. At least different cities are organizing bike parades more and more
often.

If at least a couple of tens of thousands of people ride a [bike](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/08/real-power-of-the-tour-de-france/)
to work every day and replace an hour behind the wheel of a car, thanks to each 
of them, about 1 kilogram of carbon dioxide will not be in the atmosphere. Together,
these people will reduce emissions by more than 300 tons per day. If you absolutely
can’t afford to give up your car, then you should consider a [motorized bike](https://www.bikeberry.com/collections/motorized-bicycles).

Its advantage in increasing the speed by three to four times with a slight increase
in mass is that it is very economical, compared to a sufficiently high speed in 
urban traffic conditions. This point led to the immense popularity of the bicycle
with a motor in third-world countries and Asia in general, as well as in large metropolitan
areas with difficulty in urban traffic.

So, for example, in Shanghai in 1996, there were 370 thousand motorbikes and 470
thousand other motorized vehicles. In addition, a motorized bike is an opportunity
to use it on serious, “long-distance” trips. On a motorbike, a journey of a quarter
of a thousand kilometers can be fully completed in a day and is accessible to everyone,
and this is a severe trump card for cyclists.

## **The Advantages of Bicycles**

Bicycles have many advantages: they are quiet and take up less space than cars on
roads and parking lots, which means cities can have more public spaces for people.
Bicycles protect people’s lives and health: they help make road traffic safer and
become a valuable physical activity.

At short distances of 4-5 km, it is also the fastest vehicle, and on long journeys,
bicycles are perfectly combined with public transport, which is much less harmful
to the [environment](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/08/how-to-have-a-great-summer-while-doing-your-part-to-save-the-environment/)
than private cars. You can also ride a bike all year round, even in winter! This
does not require a separate [bike](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/10/cycling-in-the-uk-lakes/)
or winter tires, and no unique clothing is required. Riding in winter is not cold,
and after the trip, there will be no unpleasant smell of sweat.

## **Cycling Infrastructure**

The Greenpeace report notes that for the bicycle to become a full-fledged mode of
transport, it lacks cycling infrastructure everywhere. At the same time, the organization
recognizes that significant progress has already been made in developing bicycle
transport networks. Additionally,  the cost of their construction is relatively 
low. The convenience, safety, length, accessibility, and connectedness of cycling
routes cause satisfaction in almost all major cities.

Already in many countries, professionals are developing guidelines for the construction
of bike paths. Such measures will reduce the number of short-distance car [trips and help relieve road](https://greenlivingguy.com/2026/08/plan-greener-road-trips-without-sacrifice/)
congestion. In particular, many are proposing to reduce the speed along routes near
cycle paths to 40 km / h. We can expect cycling infrastructure to increase the convenience
of movement over distances of up to 10-15 km.

## **Conclusion**

Both residents and authorities want to make cities cycling. People are advocating
for that change to occur as soon as possible. They want authorities to move from
words to deeds. Along with other measures, this will help us live in a livable [city and breathe clean](https://greenlivingguy.com/2026/05/clean-ferries-bill-to-transform-city-waterways/)
air.

_**Author:** Bella Clarks _

![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641?
s=300&d=monsterid&r=g)

 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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