Regular cycling increases life expectancy by 3 to 14 months! And not only physical health, but also well-being is improved. At least, that's how it is for us. As soon as the sun comes out, we only know one thing: get outside. Preferably by bike, because it's good for your health and good for the environment. That's why we want to take a closer look at mobility today and have collected 6 advantages that are guaranteed to convince you to leave the car at home next time.
The future of mobility is one of the key questions that concerns society, politics and every single person. Sustainable mobility is also known as green driving and refers to a transport concept in which only the amount of fuel is used and emissions produced that our ecosystem and infrastructure can tolerate. In order to keep these emissions as low as possible, there are now numerous ways to move around sustainably in everyday life: These include public transport, car sharing and the train. But the most sustainable means of transport is the bicycle. You can find out what other advantages the bike has here.
6 good reasons to take the bike
1. Cycling is environmentally friendly
Whether on the road, on the rails, in the water or in the air - without mobility we cannot participate in social life. The big problem is the emissions that are emitted, which pollute our environment, accelerate climate change and also endanger our health.
At CARRY, we want to make our everyday lives more sustainable by making small changes. One of the main ways to do this is to cycle to work and in our free time. That's why we looked at the means of transport in inner-city traffic, as you can see in the graphic below.
Source: https://www.polarstern-energie.de/magazin/artikel/co2-vergleich-verkehrsmittel/
The bicycle is by far the most sustainable means of transport, with 0 g of greenhouse gas emissions per person. Did you know that cycling to work saves an average of around 300 kg of CO2 emissions per year compared to a car? That's more than a flight from Berlin to Barcelona! In addition to the unbeatable argument of low environmental impact, the bicycle also has many other advantages, which we would now like to introduce to you.
2. Less noise
In a study by the Federal Environment Agency, around three quarters of those surveyed described traffic noise as disturbing or annoying. Bicycles are much quieter than other means of transport and are easier on our hearing. However, noise not only has a negative impact on our health, it also disturbs the animals in our environment. Technical noise impairs communication between conspecifics, the location of prey and the rearing of young. Many animal species therefore migrate around areas that are particularly affected by noise and have to fly long detours, for example to their mating areas and nesting sites.
3. Cycling is healthy
A study by the University of Zurich has shown that cycling has a positive effect on our well-being. We feel healthier, more active, more energetic and less stressed. Cycling improves endurance, promotes coordination, the cardiovascular system and mental health. To keep it that way, ride carefully and protect yourself with a helmet.
4. It saves space
Overall, Germany is somewhat behind when it comes to cycling: 11% of all journeys are made by bike, while in the Netherlands it is already 27%. Is this also due to the often poorly developed cycle paths? Many cities are currently in the process of becoming more bicycle-friendly or are planning to do so. Cycle paths are being built, parking spaces are being set up and car-free zones are being designated.
The distribution of the road among road users is still a major point of contention. One option that is being used more and more is pop-up bike lanes, which are set up for a day, several weeks or even months to create more space for cyclists, usually in the summer months. Overall, such actions could replace around 30% of car journeys with bicycles without much effort.
5. The bike is cheap
Did you know that cycling is not only good for your personal wallet, but also saves social costs? The Ministry of Transport estimates that this saves around €0.30 per kilometer cycled. This is due to health improvements, less land use, a stronger retail sector and the comparatively cheaper infrastructure for cycle paths. There are now also numerous options for bike sharing and renting bikes on vacation and while traveling. So it's worth doing the math.
6. Fast and flexible on the go
Unfortunately, when it comes to longer distances, the bike often can't keep up and we have to rely on local public transport, long-distance buses or the train. But maybe you've already thought about a holiday by bike? We can only recommend it - it means pure relaxation!
We are now convinced that this is the most sustainable means of transport and want to take another step towards a future worth living, or rather cycle, with you. We at CARRY are moving forward with our new design GO CYCLING as the perfect companion on our tours through Berlin and Brandenburg.
If you're still looking for the perfect bike for you, check out our friends at Stahlross.Berlin . The Berlin startup refurbishes vintage bikes and offers the stylish and functional racing bikes on their website. They want to make cycling even more popular in Berlin and contribute to a livable urban life. They try to keep the ecological footprint of their bikes as small as possible and, as you know, we at CARRY think recycling is great. Traveling sustainably can be functional and stylish at the same time. What do you think?
