Bikes: An Easy Way to Incorporate Climate Action Into Your Day-to-Day Life
- Emma Prach
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
When we think about tackling the climate crisis, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Governments, big businesses, and systemic change all play a role. But there are small, powerful actions we can take as individuals — and one of the simplest is getting on a bike.
Why cycling matters for the climate
Transport is one of the largest sources of carbon emissions in Scotland and the UK. According to Transport Scotland, transport accounts for around 25% of Scotland’s total greenhouse gas emissions, with cars responsible for the majority of that.
Switching even some car journeys for bike trips is one of the most immediate, affordable ways to reduce personal carbon footprints.
Cycling is practically zero-carbon in use.
No fuel needed beyond what you had for breakfast.
More bikes on the road can mean fewer cars, less congestion, and cleaner air for everyone.
Small swaps, big impact
You don’t have to be a year-round bike commuter to make a difference. Even swapping a couple of short car trips a week can add up: Half of all personal car journeys in Scotland are under 5 km (Transport Scotland, 2023). These short trips are some of the easiest to swap for cycling. Cycling 10 km instead of driving saves around 2–3 kg of CO₂e per trip.
Imagine if everyone in Scotland swapped just one short drive for a bike ride each week — the cumulative impact would be enormous.
A healthier, happier, greener lifestyle
Choosing the bike isn’t just good for the planet. It’s good for you:
Better physical and mental health
Lower travel costs
Less noise and air pollution in communities.
According to Cycling Scotland’s 2023 survey, 69% of Scots think encouraging cycling is important to tackle climate change, and nearly a quarter (24%) say they’d like to cycle more but face barriers like safety, infrastructure, or skills.
That’s why organisations like The Bike Station are here — to make cycling more accessible through bike sales, repairs, training, and our circular approach.
Embracing a circular cycling culture
It’s not just about riding a bike instead of driving — it’s about keeping bikes in use for longer. At The Bike Station, we refurbish unwanted bikes, reducing waste and supporting affordable access to cycling. In 2024 alone, we kept 2,387 bikes on the road instead of in landfill.
By repairing and reusing bikes, we’re reducing demand for new production and shrinking the carbon footprint of cycling even further.
A climate action that’s within reach
Climate change can feel like a big, distant problem. But getting on a bike is something you can do tomorrow (or even today!). It’s one of the easiest, most empowering ways to make a difference in daily life — and to push for the kind of healthier, greener, more connected communities we all want to see.
Ready to ride? Check out our refurbished bikes, learn new skills, or visit us for a service. Let’s make sustainable travel the easy choice, together.
