Green will: How the bike industry is becoming more sustainable
BIKE
· 17.01.2022
Biking is environmentally friendly. Because when we cycle, we are at best burning body fat, which is a renewable resource (perhaps even too quickly for some) - a car usually destroys energy from fossil sources. But of course, biking is not possible without emissions - after all, the bike itself has to be manufactured first.
And not every kilometre ridden on a mountain bike is used to replace a car. So what else can we bikers do to save the planet? "Ideally, you should start every tour on your doorstep," recommends Felix Jahn pragmatically. BIKE has compiled for our green RIDE-GREEN issue BIKE 01/2022 asked the sustainability expert from Schwalbe for his personal tips.
BIKE: How can bikers act more sustainably?
FELIX JAHN: Emissions are generated almost exclusively in the production of the bikes. That's why it's important to buy high-quality, durable products and ride them for as long as possible. If you still want a new bike, you should sell the old one. That way, others can still have fun with it. Ideally, you should also start your tours from your front door.
The question often arises for bikers: aluminium or carbon? How much more environmentally friendly is aluminium?
Carbon has a significantly higher energy consumption. Even if the production of a carbon frame is more climate-friendly today than it was a few years ago thanks to more efficient manufacturing processes. When it comes to recycling, aluminium does not fare much better than carbon. Steel is by far the most environmentally friendly material in terms of production and recycling.
According to studies, tyre abrasion from cars accounts for a huge proportion of microplastics in the environment. Do bikers also play a role here?
According to a study by the Fraunhofer Institute*, only around one per cent of tyre wear in Germany is caused by bicycles. But that doesn't mean that we shouldn't still try to research new and greener materials. At Schwalbe, we are already using more environmentally friendly materials in some of our urban tyres. However, there are still no comparable alternatives available in the performance and MTB segments. My tip: The right tyre pressure and a gentle riding style extend the durability of the tyres.
What has to happen for a commodity like a bicycle to function in an ideal cycle?
In addition to durable frames, manufacturers would have to offer spare parts for many years. This is not yet the case. Keyword standards. Of course, it is counterproductive if you have to throw away a functioning frame because there are no longer any suitable components. There are initiatives that encourage manufacturers to accept old frames, refurbish them and offer them for sale again.
Would you like to see legislators intervene more often and demand sustainable behaviour from the industry?
Yes, because many companies are still primarily concerned with profitability. Appeals are not enough. If the legislator were to intervene by taxing the emissions generated by a product, this would have a positive impact on the sustainability of our industry. It would also promote the development of recyclable products and alternative materials in the long term.
