Written by Sustainability…the Dutch experience in bicycles

Written by Sustainability…the Dutch experienceOn bicycles

The world is now looking with interest at the effects of climate change, which was confirmed byCOP27 in Egypt in 2022 and COP28 in the Emirates at the end of last year. In particular, the Egyptian presidency of the conference called on the states parties to reconsider the mechanisms of climate financing, and to push the relevant international institutions to develop their mechanisms. So that its financing is fair and comprehensive.

This interest was only one of the forms of transition to a sustainable world that can preserve the environment and support its resources for current and future generations. There are many forms of sustainability, and they exist in multiple fields, including sustainable transportation.

The concept of sustainable transportation has become important in recent years, as a step towards eliminating dependence on fossil fuels and using new energy as an alternative to them. Therefore, environmentally friendly transportation innovations began to spread among some peoples of the world, and among these areSustainable Innovations: the use of bicycles. This is confirmed by reports indicating an increase in reliance on the use of bicycles – according to the websiteStrava Metro – in regions of the world, where requests for route instructions for cycling on Google Drive increased by 69%.

Among the countries in the world that use bicycles the most: The Netherlands,The beginning wasbetween the early nineteenth century and the late twentieth century, when bicycles in the Netherlands were an aspect of the life of the wealthy, before they became a means of transportation for Dutch workers.

Then in the post-World War periodThe Dutch economy flourished, and the citizens of the Netherlands became able to buy cars. That is why the infrastructure for bicycles that existed before the war was destroyed, in order to expand the perimeter of the streets for cars, and at that time the percentage of bicycle use – annually – decreased to 6%, and the general idea was that bicycles would disappear completely in the end.

All of this ignited the anger of the Dutch, and by the seventies calls for rejection had reached their highest levels, especially after the number of traffic accident victims rose to its peak in 1971. The protests increased, and as a result – two years later – a group of activists founded the Dutch Cyclists’ Union, and demanded more space for bicycles.

This is how bicycles in the Netherlands have become a symbol of sustainability, and not just a means of transportation. Above all, it is exceptionally environmentally friendly, as it does not emit harmful gases. Because it does not run on fossil fuels. This is what the Netherlands took into account when transforming the transportation sector into sustainable methods. To avoid the problemsfossil fuelscausing climate change.

The number of bicycles in the Netherlands is more than its population! There are many reasons behind this, including the government’s efforts to prepare infrastructure suitable for the common use of bicycles by Dutch citizens. This infrastructure includes wide paths –amounting to 37 thousand kilometers– and safe corridors prepared for this type of transportation.

The Netherlands is also characterized by a moderate climate most of the year, and this helps in using bicycles in a healthy and comfortable manner. Bicycles are also a low-cost means of transportation, compared to cars that run on fossil fuels, which is a major cause of climate change. All of this makes bicycles an attractive option and a sustainable means of transportation.

In addition to the above, the Netherlands provides safe parking for bicycles in all cities, including homes, offices, and commercial centers. TheDutch education systemalso supports this method – and other sustainability methods – and encourages students to use bicycles, as they are a great means of transportation.

The Netherlands is not alone in promoting the use of bicycles among citizens, as Egypt is also taking effective steps in this field. This is something that “Egypt Vision 2030” takes into consideration, as its goals include working to enhance all methods of sustainability in all sectors, especially the transportation sector.

Hence, the presidential directives were very clear in this regard, and called for activating the “Bicycle for Every Citizen” initiative, where the government aimed to replace cars with bicycles. This Egyptian project is one of the projects that seeks to promote sustainable transportation among Egyptians. An attempt by the political leadership to have all governorates of the Republic combat climate change and its effects that harm the environment.

Therefore, Egypt took into account in the urban planning of its new cities that the streets be wide, in implementation of the initiatives that promote the use of bicycles among citizens, and by allocating paths for these bicycles, with an appropriate width area.

Egypt confirmed these endeavors in 2023 by holding a cycling marathon, which was organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports inThe New Administrative Capital, with the participation of 5,000 participants. In this marathon, the government was able to draw attention to the importance of sustainable transportation, the most important of which is bicycles.

Egypt is trying, through bicycle use initiatives, to combatclimate changesand their severe impacts, which affect the entire world. It is determined to transform the transportation sector into a more sustainable method, by promoting the use of bicycles in line with “Egypt Vision 2030,” which calls for the preservation of environmental resources; To confront the effects of climate change, increase reliance on renewable energy, and adopt sustainable methods in the transportation sectorand other sectors. In addition, this type of sustainable transportation can contribute to improving public health, which means strengthening the health sector.

Despite the Egyptian efforts made in this regard – especially the presidential efforts – the general culture around the use of bicycles still needs to raise awareness of the importance of this sustainable transportation in improving the lives of citizens.The prevailing culture – until now – is a lack of respect for bicycle lanes and paths by car drivers; Therefore, the government and private sectors must join forces to promote this type of transportation, as it is a path to building a new republic.

At the end of the article you seeHomat Al-Earth Magazinehow important it is to adopt the use of bicycles at the government and individual levels; It is a major step towards achieving theSustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially the goals: “good health and well-being,” “sustainable cities and communities,” and “climate action.”