The climate change mitigation effects of daily active travel in cities

• Published in: Transportation research. Part D, Transport and environment Vol. 93; p. 102764
• Main Authors: Brand, Christian, Dons, Evi, Anaya-Boig, Esther, Avila-Palencia, Ione, Clark, Anna, de Nazelle, Audrey, Gascon, Mireia, Gaupp-Berghausen, Mailin, Gerike, Regine, Götschi, Thomas, Iacorossi, Francesco, Kahlmeier, Sonja, Laeremans, Michelle, Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark J, Pablo Orjuela, Juan, Racioppi, Francesca, Raser, Elisabeth, Rojas-Rueda, David, Standaert, Arnout, Stigell, Erik, Sulikova, Simona, Wegener, Sandra, Int Panis, Luc
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2021
• Subjects: Active mobility; Climate change mitigation; CO2 emissions; Cycling; Sustainable urban transport; Walking; Walking; Sustainable urban transport; Cycling; Active mobility; Climate change mitigation; CO2 emissions
• ISSN: 1361-9209; 1879-2340
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trd.2021.102764

•How much CO2 can be saved by walking, cycling and e-biking in towns and cities?•Cyclists had 84% lower CO2 emissions from all daily travel than non-cyclists.•Life cycle CO2 emissions decreased by 14% for each additional cycling trip.•The top 10% of participants were responsible for 59% of life cycle CO2 emissions.•Regular cycling was most strongly associated with reduced life cycle CO2 emissions for commuting and social trips. Active travel (walking or cycling for transport) is considered the most sustainable form of personal transport. Yet its net effects on mobility-related CO2 emissions are complex and under-researched. Here we collected travel activity data in seven European cities and derived life cycle CO2 emissions across modes and purposes. Daily mobility-related life cycle CO2 emissions were 3.2 kgCO2 per person, with car travel contributing 70% and cycling 1%. Cyclists had 84% lower life cycle CO2 emissions than non-cyclists. Life cycle CO2 emissions decreased by −14% per additional cycling trip and decreased by −62% for each avoided car trip. An average person who ‘shifted travel modes’ from car to bike decreased life cycle CO2 emissions by 3.2 kgCO2/day. Promoting active travel should be a cornerstone of strategies to meet net zero carbon targets, particularly in urban areas, while also improving public health and quality of urban life.