Why cities should promote green commuting

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Across numerous European cities, environmental stress is manifesting itself in the form of poor air quality, excessive noise, and traffic congestion. In order for the quality of life to be improved, cities should take an active role in promoting green and environmentally-friendly practices. Promoting green commuting, for instance, can be a very good way for cities to limit emissions and play a role in tackling the global climate emergency.

Going to work using alternative modes of transportation rather than traditional cars is known as green commuting. This can include cycling, walking, using public transportation, or relying on different micro mobility solutions.

Cycling to work is not only good for the environment, but also for one’s personal health and fitness. When it comes to the cycling infrastructure, not all European countries perform equally well. The Netherlands and Denmark are both considered European cycling champions, featuring excellent conditions for cycling. In Danish and Dutch cities, it is extremely common to see people commuting to work on their bikes.

According to the statistics by the Municipality of Utrecht, over 125,000 people ride their bikes to work, school, stores or other places in this Dutch city every day. Utrecht University, one of the top-tier universities in the Netherlands, also has a commuting/bicycle scheme, allowing employees to reach agreements on compensation for expenses related to the purchase and use of a bicycle or e-bike for commuting. This Dutch city is exceptionally bicycle-friendly and can serve as an urban planning model for other communities across the world.

According to Global Bicycle Cities Index 2022, Utrecht is the best city in the world to be a cyclist in. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that numerous Utrecht residents opt for this healthy and extremely green way of commuting. Carbon emissions are reduced when car trips are replaced with biking. In the time of global climate crisis, more people seem to be aware that by changing some of their everyday habits, they can also be a part of the solution.

However, there are numerous other significant advantages of cycling, such as predictable commute time. When one relies on cycling to get to work, thy are no longer dependent on modes of public transportation that can be late or get crowded. Moreover, regular cycling can minimize the risk of a number of serious illnesses, in addition to all the other advantages of outdoor physical activity.

According to Destination(s) Europe, Copenhagen boasts 400 kilometers of well-kept bike lanes. In the Danish capital, there are now more bikers than drivers as a result of many years of pro-bike policies. The Danish city now has a considerable number of bike lanes and bridges, making the city extremely attractive for cyclists. Furthermore, the city also has some of the most ambitious climate goals in Europe, which is why the city’s authorities are doing a great job in promoting sustainable practices among its residents. According to the Los Angeles Times, Copenhagen’s city government revealed in July 2020 that 62% of its people now ride their bikes to work or school, up from 52% in 2015 and 36% in 2012.

Building climate-friendly communities remains an important task that requires full participating and responsible actions of all key-actors. Promoting green commuting is a great way for cities to reduce vehicle numbers on the road, boost safety, limit CO2 emissions, and shorten commute times, ultimately improving the quality of life for their residents. (photo credit: OpenClipart-Vectors/Pixabay)