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Last Updated on April 30, 2024 by Alaina Bullock
Eco-friendly travel is essential in today’s world. More people want to be sustainable, making greener transportation important because you can drastically reduce your carbon footprint by making changes. There are many options available, but biking is the best choice for most people.
Ready to learn about why biking is your new best friend? Keep reading!
1. Bikes Have Zero Emissions
One of the biggest reasons biking is a great eco-friendly travel option is because, unlike cars, bikes do not produce harmful greenhouse gases. They don’t require fuel.
Even if you choose an electric bike, it shouldn’t have many emissions. Both options are very eco-friendly.
A traditional bike operates only on your pedaling. It doesn’t need anything else. As long as you have the energy to pedal it will keep moving. So, when you take a bike instead of your car, you’re keeping the air cleaner.
2. Bikes are Small
Bikes are a lot smaller than cars and other vehicles. They’re space-saving, which can be great for the environment. Since they don’t need as much space, there’s less need for parking lots.
These open spaces can now serve other purposes. For example, there could be a park or a garden, which would be much more eco-friendly than a parking lot.
In addition, large parking lots also harm the environment. They can cause water runoff to gather in one place, leading to water damage – especially if the parking lot doesn’t have the correct slope and sends the water towards other buildings.
Plus, that water runoff is filled with oil, gas, and other chemicals, that find their way into our groundwater, streams, lakes, and oceans.
So, with more bikes and fewer cars on the road, fewer harmful parking lots are installed in your neighborhood.
3. Bikes Do Not Contribute to Noise Pollution
A running car, even at a stop, makes a loud noise. Not to mention the honking and brakes screeching. If you live in a busy urban area, you know exactly how loud vehicles are.
Bikes don’t have that issue. They’re quiet, therefore reducing the noise pollution in your area. Your town will feel more peaceful when more people ride bicycles to work instead of cars.
This feature makes them much more sustainable and as a bonus, you’ll feel calmer without the extra noise.
4. Bikes Require Minimal Maintenance
Bikes are perfect for eco-friendly travel because they don’t require maintenance. You might oil the chain occasionally, but you’re not using many resources or spending much money to keep the bike in good shape. Cars need oil changes, inspections, and frequent repairs. You don’t have to worry about that with a bike.
So, you won’t be using as many resources to keep your ride in good condition. You won’t use as many fossil fuels changing oil or filling up on gas because your bike doesn’t use them.
Plus, you’ll save a lot of money over time because your bike won’t have expensive maintenance requirements like other vehicles. You can save your money and put it towards more sustainable practices.
5. Bikes Encourage More Sustainable Infrastructure
Bikes can help the environment by encouraging people to construct more sustainable infrastructure. With more people pedaling on bikes, there’s a high need for bike lanes, sidewalks, and better urban planning.
That means it becomes easier to get around without a car. Places become closer together to suit the demand of cyclists.
Grocery stores, entertainment, and other shops will start popping up within biking distance from your home. All of which encourage more people to use bikes.
Overall, you’ll live in a more sustainable place with more people riding bikes.
6. Bikes are Convenient and Accessible
You can always hop on a bike and ride down the street with little preparation. This benefit makes them a versatile form of eco-friendly travel transportation for many people.
Also, anyone can learn how to ride a bike, so they’re incredibly accessible. A step thru ebike is perfect for anyone. The low frame makes it easy to mount the saddle and stay balanced, so seniors and people with mobility issues can ride, too.
Your bike will be your new best friend because it can adapt to your needs. You can add more storage space to it, lights, and even an LCD screen with a GPS. You also choose the exact frame you want, so it better suits your needs.
You can even choose the thickness of the tires. For example, thick tires provide more stability and are better for uneven terrain. Their size adds shock absorption, making it easier to pass over sticks and rocks.
Conversely, thinner tires are better for paved, smooth streets. They can build up speed quickly and are best suited for travel in urban places.
So, you’ll have plenty of choices to make regarding your bike. Your choices in the frame type and wheels will impact how it rides. You can customize the bike to your needs, so it’s sure to be your new best friend for sustainable travel.
7. Biking Improves Your Health
Riding a bike daily will help improve your health. You’ll feel stronger and build more stamina over time.
Cycling is also good for your cardiovascular health and strengthens your muscles. It can even help keep you flexible and improve your mental health. These benefits can also impact the environment.
When you’re healthy, you don’t need to use as many healthcare resources. You won’t generate any pharmaceutical waste or use energy getting to and in doctor’s offices or hospitals
These are all great reasons to give biking a try.
Choose Eco-Friendly Travel With Your New Friend
To summarize, there are many reasons why bikes are a great option for eco-friendly travel. If you take the time to choose a bike with a frame and features that suit your needs, you’ll love riding it. And the more you ride, the more you will be helping the environment.