Replicating Danish cycling rates would cut EU emissions by up to 25%

djpbarry

From today's Irish Times:

EUROPE COULD cut its total greenhouse gas emissions by more than 25 per cent if every population cycled as regularly as the Danes, according to a pioneering study which tracks the environmental impact of cycling.

If the general EU cycling rate were the same as it is in Denmark, where the average person cycles almost 1,000km each year, then the bloc would attain anything from 12 per cent to 26 per cent of its targeted emissions reduction, depending on what forms of transport the cycling replaced, according to the report by the European Cycling Federation.

This figure is likely to be a significant underestimate as it deliberately excludes the environmental impact of building road infrastructure and parking, or maintaining and disposing of cars.

The federation is urging politicians to focus less on technologically complex solutions to emissions, such as electric cars, and instead think about the potential for increased cycling, especially given that around a third of motorised journeys within the EU are 2km or less.

I'm quite surprised by the potential for energy savings in something as simple as getting people to cycle. Then of course there's also the obvious health benefits. Admittedly, I've not looked at the original report, but I guess it's not a totally unreasonable figure considering how energy-intensive road transport is. A target of 1,000 km per person per annum seems pretty ambitious, but if the Danes can do it...

BryanF

maybe someone should tell the Canadians!!

Markcheese

Denmark's pretty flat really, and a lot more urban than we are too, and prob a bit dryer......
I live in rainy hilly Cork ,7 miles from a decent public transport link( and the town) , so my cycling is recreational.

Cookie_Monster

1,000km is nothing and should be easily achievable by anyone. That's only 2km each way to work over 48 weeks for example.

djpbarry

Markcheese wrote: »

Denmark's pretty flat really, and a lot more urban than we are too, and prob a bit dryer...

In the grand scheme of things, Denmark really isn't all that different to Ireland.

Cool Mo D

Ireland is an ideal country for cycling. Most of our towns and cities are flat (maybe except the northside of Cork), and relatively compact, traffic is slow, so no big time savings from driving. It doesn't get too hot or too cold for comfortable cycling. The only issue is rain, but even on wet days, generally there are showers rather than a whole day of rain, so you'll get wet less than you might think.

Markcheese

Cool Mo D wrote: »

Ireland is an ideal country for cycling. Most of our towns and cities are flat (maybe except the northside of Cork), and relatively compact, traffic is slow, so no big time savings from driving. It doesn't get too hot or too cold for comfortable cycling. The only issue is rain, but even on wet days, generally there are showers rather than a whole day of rain, so you'll get wet less than you might think.

True.... I work outdoors so realise we don't get as much rain as most of us think.... But also am from cork and where ever yr going seems to be uphill both ways...

what would prob help would be proper bike parks, either at park and rides or bus train stops. .... Somewhere secure to park yr bike , lockers and maybe showers.... cos unless you live city centre most journeys are going to be multi modal....

Grudaire

It's 25% of targeted reduction in emissions - which is still pretty massive but not quite as amazing as the headline suggests.

Ireland is amazing for cycling. All that's needed is cycle friendly facilities in work!

monument

Not all Dainish cities and towns are equal in their levels of cycling, just as not all Irish cities are or would be in the future.