Cycling to Reduce Carbon Footprint | KBO Bike
Numerous bike riders say they ride because they want to reduce their carbon footprint. Is it possible to reduce one's carbon emissions by switching from a car or bus to an electric bike, and if so, how much? You're probably aware of the numerous health benefits of riding ebikes. However, its impact on the environment can make life better and safer for all people, not just those aiming for a healthier lifestyle.
According to a new report from the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The scientists on the panel determined that if global temperatures rise by 1.5°C or more by 2030, the global risk of extreme droughts, wildfires, and floods will increase exponentially. The bad news is that if nothing is done, global temperatures could rise by up to 3°C—double the rate that scientists agree is already catastrophic. However, everyone, from governments and large corporations to ordinary citizens, can help combat the effects of climate change.
What is Carbon FootPrint?
The amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with all of a person's or other entity's activities is referred to as the carbon footprint (e.g., building, corporation, country, etc.). It includes direct emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels in manufacturing, heating, and transportation, as well as emissions required to produce the electricity associated with the goods and services consumed. Furthermore, the concept of carbon footprint frequently includes the emissions of other greenhouse gases, such as methane, nitrous oxide, or chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
Carbon FootPrint and different modes of Transport
A carbon footprint can be calculated by calculating greenhouse gas emissions. Once the size of a carbon footprint is determined, a strategy for reducing it can be developed.
Carbon footprints can be reduced by developing alternative projects such as solar and wind energy, which are environmentally friendly, renewable resources, or reforestation, which is the restocking of previously depleted forests or woodlands. These are examples of carbon offsetting.
Population, economic output, and the economy's energy and carbon intensity are the primary influences on carbon footprints. Individuals and businesses should focus on these factors to reduce their carbon footprints. Because production has a large carbon footprint, scholars believe that reducing the amount of energy required for production would be one of the most effective ways to reduce a carbon footprint.
The following is a list of Carbon Footprints produced for various modes of transportation.
Making cars necessitates the use of a large amount of raw material. The production of a car alone accounts for 42 g of CO2 emissions per kilometer driven on average. Driving a car significantly increases gas emissions.
Taking the bus reduces your carbon footprint by more than fifty percent. Buses have longer lifespans and can transport more people, so producing them produces fewer emissions per passenger and kilometer. A bus ride emits only 101 g of CO2 per kilometer of travel.
A liter of diesel produces approximately 2.62 kg of CO2, while a liter of gasoline produces approximately 2.39 kg. So, if a person uses 20 liters of gasoline per month, he emits 48 kilograms of CO2. But, if you want to keep your emissions to a bare minimum, we can start with a bicycle.
Carbon FootPrint and the Bicycle
There are various methods for reducing one's carbon footprint. Cycling, on the one hand, is one of the simplest methods. Reduced use of Bikes/Cars reduces the use of Petrol/Diesel and, as a result, can help to reduce carbon footprint. Driving a car or a bicycle is a good alternative. It will not only aid in the reduction of pollution but will also aid in the improvement of health. When possible, begin cycling to eliminate carbon emissions. It can be drastically reduced if we start cycling in groups. Reduce your carbon footprint by cycling safely.
Using an electric bicycle for work or to deliver goods and groceries is something that anyone can do at any time. But we can only imagine how much CO2 can be spared. Different means of transportation can emit varying levels of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Aside from lowering carbon dioxide levels, bicycles have several other advantages. "A bicycle is the finest means of transportation known to man," as the saying goes.
Some may believe that bicycles emit no emissions at all. With no fuel, tank, or exhaust, where would the carbon dioxide come from? However, bicycles must be created as well, and while they are not fuel-powered, they are food-powered — and creating food, regrettably, produces CO2 emissions. The question is, how much is it? And how much does it cost in comparison to automobiles and buses? And now for the good news. A bicycle's manufacture costs only 5 g per kilometer driven. When compared to the output of an automobile, this is around ten percent.
To reduce global carbon emissions through increasing bike utilization, several worldwide adjustments are recommended, including:
-Creating large-scale bike infrastructure networks
-Implementing bike-share, with a focus on linkages to public transportation.
-Revising legislation to protect bikers and pedestrians
-Investing in walking and public transportation
-Aligning regional land use planning with transportation investments.
Investing in alternative transportation, particularly mobility that emits much less CO2 than conventional transportation (personal automobile), is a critical task for communities to meet our climate change targets.
If you want to decrease your carbon footprint, reducing or eliminating your automotive trips is a wonderful way to start, and evidence shows that it works.
When it comes to large-scale transformation, towns and nations must begin developing infrastructure that encourages behavior change to meet our climate change targets. If we don't do this, people will be less likely to ride their bikes or walk instead of driving their cars because they feel uncomfortable.
Benefits of cycling in reducing carbon emissions.
Listed below are some of the most easily recognizable benefits of riding a bicycle:
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Air Pollution Reduction
Changing our negative behaviors will bring us closer to living a more environmentally friendly life. The first benefit of biking will be a reduction in air pollution.
Many folks drive a few times a day. More specifically, we get in our automobile at least twice a day: when we leave for work and return home. If we're picking up kids from school or taking a detour to the grocery store, that amount can skyrocket.
Bike riding, on the other hand, consumes very little fossil fuel. It means that riding your bike is a non-polluting way of transportation. If you ride your bike to work instead of driving, you will save around 3000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year.
What if everyone on the earth did the same thing? The world would be a much healthier place.
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No use of nonrenewable fuels
Did you know that the United States utilized approximately 20.5 million barrels of oil per day in 2019? Diesel and gas are the two most popular forms of oil.
Can you fathom how much oil they currently spend per day? Fortunately, bike users contribute significantly to the decrease in fuel consumption. This would logically benefit the entire planet earth.
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There will be no more crowding or parking issues.
The image of streets teeming with bikes conjures up visions of nirvana. Every driver understands how frustrating it is to be caught in traffic. You begin to lose your nerve, and more often than not, we are on the verge of an accident.
Another advantage of riding a bike is that the number of accidents is likely to decrease since drivers will be less impatient.
Furthermore, people who live in cities understand how difficult it may be to hear traffic noise in the early morning. You are unable to get a good night's sleep.
Living in such an atmosphere can result in some psychological and physiological issues. Our mental health is as vital as our bodily health. Logically, it is not always viable to relocate to a more calm location. As a result, let's use bikes to make cities more peaceful!
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There is no need to destroy more nature.
Indeed, many households around the world only have one car. Despite this, the average number of vehicles per family in the United States is 1.88. As a result, some families have more than one vehicle in their garage.
Consider how many cars there are in cities such as Los Angeles, Seattle, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. If the number of cars on the road continues to rise, we will need to build new roads. Green spaces, of course, will suffer the most in such instances. Why would we want to replace lovely parks with roads? There will be many more green terrains if we all start riding bikes.
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Personal Health Improvement
We discussed the environmental advantages of biking. Nonetheless, each person in our world might reap some personal rewards.
Bicycle riding is frequently associated with improved physical health. This practice improves both mental and emotional well-being. It enhances your balance and posture and your cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, strength, and general mood. Riding your bike also allows you to enjoy some fresh air and exercise. Bike riding has several personal health benefits.
Conclusion
So, if you possess a bicycle, one personal way of contributing to the climate solution is just outside your door or in your backyard. Why not leave the automobile at home and start cycling?
