World Bicycle Day: Poor Man’s Vehicle but for Health and Environment

By – Dr. N. Munal Meitei
World Bicycle Day is observed on June 3 since 2018 by United Nations to promotes cycling to reduce global carbon footprints, alleviate traffic congestion and long-term environmental benefits and healthy transport. Acknowledging the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle, which has been in use for two centuries and bicycle is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and fit sustainable means of transportation, fostering environmental stewardship and health.
The theme for 2026 is “Cycling for a Greener Future,” highlighting the environmental value of cycling in a world facing pollution, traffic congestion, climate change and lifestyle-related health issues. Cycling does not require good paths, petrol or diesel incurring more cost and does not release harmful smoke. This makes it, one of the cleanest modes of transport.
A bicycle is simple in design but powerful in impact. It helps people travel short distances without fuel, supports daily exercise and provides an accessible transport option for people across and in different age groups and income levels. Cycling boosts physical and mental health preventing chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.
According to an Institute of Transportation and Developmental Policy, if cycling accounted for 20% of urban commuting globally, it could reduce CO2 emissions by nearly 11% by 2050 from urban passenger transport. This reduction is substantial in the fight against climate change, highlighting the importance of promoting the bicycle as a primary mode of transport.
Cycling’s carbon footprint is remarkably low. Research indicates that cycling generates approximately 21 grams of CO2 per km while a Car emits 250 gm to travel the distance with extra cost. It’s even lower than the emissions from walking or using public transport. The atmosphere would be much cleaner if everyone cycled as much as 686 million metric tons of CO2 annually, effectively eliminating same as 19.4% of global passenger car emissions.
Reducing pollution from transportation is vital in addressing climate change, the effects of which are evident from increasingly severe heat waves, droughts and storms. Transportation contributes a one-fourth of fuel-related greenhouse gas emissions globally, with half coming from passenger cars only. While electric vehicles are often promoted, the transition is slow and doesn’t fully address for sustainable transportation. Thus, cycling is imperative.
Cycling is a simple form of physical exercise that supports overall fitness. It helps to improve heart, muscle strength, weight management, reduce stress, improve sleep quality and increase stamina and endurance.
Shifting to cycling results in less noise pollution, reduces habitat destruction from infrastructure expansion and lowers overall ecosystem stress. A study found that if cycling levels returned to those of the 1940s, the global net saving could reach around 100 million tons annually.
According to the WHO, safe infrastructure for walking and cycling is also a pathway for achieving greater health equity. Meeting the needs of people who walk and cycle continues to be a critical part of the mobility solution for helping cities de-couple population growth from increased emissions, and to improve air quality and road safety. Push for safer cycling lanes and better pedestrian infrastructure in our towns and cities to make biking a viable daily option.
The use of the bicycle as a means of transport, foster sustainable development, strengthening education, including physical education for children and young people, promoting health and social inclusion and a culture of peace.
Regular physical activity including cycling is proven to help prevent and treat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and breast and colon cancer. It also helps to prevent hypertension, overweight and obesity and can improve mental health, quality of life and well-being.
More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed transport needs and behaviour, prompting many countries to rethink for advantages in isolation transport and traffic systems. As to reinforces many governments commit to promote the bicycle lanes among their urban and rural development planning.
India presents the second-largest bicycle manufacturer in the world. The country ranks first globally in the number of people who ride a bicycle but bicycle penetration i.e. the percentage of the population using a bicycle as their primary means of transport is surprisingly below 10%. It’s certain that today’s “Poor Man’s Vehicle, the Bicycle” will lead the transport world in future.
We all should promote cycling for its myriad benefits to health and environment. The governments worldwide, recognize cycling as a facilitator of achievement the global fight for climate variation, we are to unleash the potential of cycling in our daily life from now onwards.
(The author is Environmentalist, presently working as DFO/Chandel. email: [email protected])