In an effort to raise awareness about climate change and the importance of sustainable mobility, a group of cyclists from various European countries embarked on a five-month journey, covering 6,500 kilometers to reach Baku, Azerbaijan, to participate in COP29.

Around 200 cyclists of different ages took part in this initiative, all striving to highlight the significance of cycling as a solution to reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector.

Speaking to Al-Ain News, one of the participants said that the group started their journey from countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, and France, passing through several European countries, including Croatia, Bulgaria, and Georgia, all the way to Baku, where COP29 is being held.

He mentioned that the team directly experienced the impacts of climate change during their journey. They witnessed unusual floods in Germany, massive wildfires in Bulgaria, and severe droughts that affected agriculture in Turkey.

One of the cyclists explained that their main goal was to deliver a clear message about the importance of cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation to reduce carbon emissions. He pointed out that most daily commutes are less than 3 kilometers, which could easily be accomplished by bike.

According to statistics, if cycling, walking, and public transportation were getting more used, carbon emissions from the transportation sector could be reduced by up to 50%.

The group emphasized that promoting cycling culture requires integrated efforts, including infrastructure development, awareness-raising, and educating people on how to ride and maintain bicycles. They praised cities like Novi Sad in Serbia, which increased its cycling usage from 2% to 12% over eight years, considering it a model to be emulated for creating cleaner and healthier cities.