16 Bike safety tips for a great ride
Ride your way to a greener environment
Cycling lowers your carbon footprint and noise pollution and is one of the best ways you can reduce your impact on the environment . Read on to discover more reasons why changing your commute can have a big impact on the environment.
Sustainability can be a confusing word, we get it. A big part of the problem is that there isn’t a universal or legal definition. The best starting point for us is to figure out what we care about and what we’re trying to achieve. Do we want to lower our carbon footprint? Do we want cleaner air? Do we want workers to be treated fairly? Do we want to protect the animals, flowers, and trees in our backyard? It’s a tall order to fill, but we can take our first and easiest step with a bike.
It relies on your pedal power not fossil fuels
There’s no such thing as zero footprint or carbon neutral, literally. The best we can do is minimize our impact by making incremental changes to what we already do every day. For instance, if you must drive, consider carpooling. If you have a scooter or motorcycle, consider switching to an electric version or an e-bike; most importantly, make sure the charging station offers renewable energy like solar power. The key is to reduce our reliance on inefficient vehicles and fossil fuels. Cycling is a great option because the only energy we’re consuming is our own and it comes with health benefits! Learn more about the health benefuts of cycling here.
It lowers your costs and carbon footprint
Every purchase we make has an impact. We want to choose products that are efficient, that last for a long time, and don’t produce toxic byproducts at any stage of the product’s life. It’s also a lot gentler on your wallet long-term! Repairing and maintaining bikes is also easy and fast – whether you do the work yourself or take it to your local bike shop mechanic. Many of the tools for repair and maintenance can be bought at your local bike shop as well – and some retailers even offer basic intro seminars you can take to learn to fix a flat tire, for example.
It improves air quality for everyone
By choosing biking as your main transportation method, you not only contribute to reducing pollution but you’re also helping improve the air quality in your neighborhood. For example, riding a commuter bike to work instead of driving will lower your greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 3,000 pounds every year - not only safeguarding your health but also that of your community.
It means less congestion and traffic on the road
We often think driving is a faster alternative to riding but in most cities, it’s not necessarily the case. By leaving fossil fuel-based transportation behind, we avoid unbearable traffic jams, piling costs, and getting stuck in a cloud of toxic particles. According to independent studies done by INRIX, Americans lost $1,348 on average per driver per year in 2018 due to congestion; they factor in things like lost time, health side-effects, fuel lost during idling, etc. On the other hand, cycling gives you the freedom to switch routes, go through a park for fresh air, and often gets you to your destination faster. Need any more persuading?!
It helps reduce noise pollution
Over long periods, noise pollution can be a risk to our health and wildlife. A sound that goes above 85 decibels can harm our hearing. For reference, subway trains fall in the 90-115 decibels range; imagine hearing that every day! They also change animals’ habits and threaten their survival by confusing animals that rely on sound to catch their food. We know we sound like a broken record,but riding a bike really is one of the best things we can do to empower ourselves and achieve a more eco-friendly life. Even the act of being able to appreciate quieter natural spaces can help us be more aware of the environment and give us a chance to reflect on our impact.
Make riding your first step towards sustainability
Cycling for sustainability is already a global movement: local authorities are investing billions in making cities more bike-friendly; people are cycling for climate justice; there are countless cities where bikes empower the less privileged for their survival and the list goes on. No solution is perfect, of course and as a consumer we might feel small in the grand scheme of things. But if we all play our parts in living a more sustainable lifestyle, we have the power to change the world, one ride at a time. Make sure to check out our article on the most bike-friendly cities around the world and benefits of bike commuting.