Cycling has a reputation for being an environmental friendly activity, however, the reality of production of cycling as a sport and the material for our helmets, snacks, kits, and gear aren’t entirely environmentally friendly. In my view, cycling culture and the industry can do more to change the methods, production, and practices of creating our products. As consumers we also bear the responsibility of the changing the environmental impact of our products and how we dispose of them.
One of my major works in progress as a lifestyle cyclists that advocates for climate change is to cut down on my use of non-renewables and reduce my footprint. While I was doing a bit more research on going zero waste I realized that when it comes to what cyclists purchase, some bike products are more green than others. We tend to accumulate a lot of accessories that are petroleum based, battery functioned, and non-recyclable. And as a culture, the bike industry is just starting to take on environmental opportunities to create products that resonate to consumers who aim to live more green. My hope is that through this post, I can raise awareness around our purchases and habits to advocate for greener methods for our rides.
For all the time I have spent my life as a bike commuter/leisure cyclist and as a member of the cycling community and consumer of cycling-related products, I strongly believe that I bear responsibility for the trajectory of our sport’s environmental impact. For this past year I have taken zero waste a bit more seriously from food to my cycling kit. I’m still learning but even small changes make a difference. As I open up about my journey and share my views and new products, my hope is that we can advocate for a greener industry and world with our habits, spending power, votes, and voices.
To help you know how you can advocate for a greener cycling industry and life, here are a few things I’ve learned to adopt.
Practice Daily Green Habits
- Lately I’ve been experimenting with going zero waste at home. One practice I’ve started more regularly is preparing or baking my own snacks and placing them in reusable eco friendly food wraps and containers. There are many benefits to this from saving money to knowing exactly what nutrients you are getting without all the added sugars and more in a store bought product.
- Recycle tubes and tires: Ask your local bike shops or outdoor retailer if they will accept rubber for recycling. If you can’t find a local venue, you can ship them to Green Guru. You can also opt to go tubeless or flat proof tires. I have flat proof tires on my bikes and absolutely love them.
- Keep cycling consumption minimal. I have a healthy consumption relationship with my cycling gear. I don’t feel the need to have the latest in anything and am happy with a minimal cycling wardrobe that allows me to spend my money on experiences that matter more to me.
- Sell old kit. I’m a second hand clothing enthusiast. When it comes to material I use, I always make sure it’s recyclable. I never throw out my clothes, expect some delicates, otherwise, I’m selling them online or giving them to a textile recycling facility. Basically anywhere that doesn’t call “donations” a landfill.
- Always carry a reusable water bottle. I always carry my Kleen Kanteen insulated bottle with me on flights, on road trips, to shops etc. I don’t leave home without it. When it comes to cycling bidons, cyclists tend to be given many of them but try to keep the amount you own minimal and sell those that you don’t use or simply give them back, donate, or recycle.
- Use only biodegradable soaps and eco-friendly lubricants when you wash your bike, gear, and kit. And air dry of course.
Invest In Eco-Friendly
Last year I wrote a blog post about eco friendly cycling gear from helmets, kits, and bike lights. Cycling as an industry is deeply rooted in tradition and change is very slow, however, their has been a handful of cycling companies raising the bar on production of sourcing recyclable material to propel the raising demand millennials have on sustainable products from material sourcing to landfill breakdown.
Last fall, both Giro and Pearl Izumi announced their transition to sustainable fabrics. Other companies have transitioned too such as Po Compo with their latest Mardy Cargo Pannier, while already sustainable brands such as FINDRA released their new innovative material of recycled bottles and repurposed coffee grounds in their new Stroma Tech Rain Jacket, read my review here.
We as cycling consumers have the power to make purchases that support company choices. Overtime our bibs, lights, tires and chains inevitably wear out and we need to throw them out and replace them. When you’re in the market to make the next purchase, do a little research around the materials and practices companies use that align with your values. While information may be limited, you may want to reach out to brands already practicing sustainable methods of production and ask questions.
Speak Up Of What Values Matter
The conversation of cycling gear production and sustainability is not a new conversation just because the awareness of climate change is becoming greater. Articles upon articles have been published by major sport media outlets to voice the issues consumers have with difficulty in finding sustainable gear and the scary environmental impact of manufacturing carbon bikes. However, there is hope in that frames with these material — carbon, aluminum, titanium, steel — are the most sustainable.
While it may be hard to make our wishes known, feedback and encouragement for companies to know of your support is crucial to them making changes in practices and products that are environmentally friendly. Both Giro and Pearl Izumi representatives shared that their decisions to start using sustainable fabric were based on internal ethics, not consumer research. While it’s great to see some companies pushing things forward, consumers must also be part moving other parts of the industry forward too.
As a pro cycling fan, one thing I’ve noticed and complained over the years over athletes throwing their bidons and wrappers into land. The Tour de France and Flèche-Wallonne have faced complaints in the past for in-race littering. Many of us on Twitter are not shy to raise an eyebrow and hold teams and sponsors accountable for their practices.
Also on group rides, some folks are fine with throwing their garbage from gel wraps and bars on the road. In times like today, these practices are not to be tolerated. Call your bike mates out and show them an alternative way to dispose.
Get Involved Locally
Go to your local town meetings when it comes to challenging policies on energy, climate-friendly transportation, cycling infrastructure and initiatives and participate through dialogue online. Get involved with climate activism through local and national political organization and the CLIMATE RIDE. By participating in local initiatives, you can learn of your local representatives who will support green infrastructure and policies to make cycling more accessible and safer.
There are social media environmental movements happening from #groundskeepers, #zerowaste, #trashchallenge, and more. You can learn so much from what these people are doing to incorporate greener living and consumption. You can also donate to your favorite sustainable charities or climate organizations.
Adopt A Cycling Lifestyle/Sustainable Transit
Last but not least, the most green activity you can participate in is a cycling lifestyle. Depending on there you live, the rise of cyclist deaths and climate change is impacting the way we are able to move in our environments but if you can ride, do it. No matter where you live though, always advocate for safer streets and stricter laws around bike and car collisions.
If it’s too hot or too cold, opt for public transit. If you have lots of gear to transport on a regular basis, or if you have big hills and many miles between you and your regular destinations, consider an e-bike. E-Bikes are quickly becoming cities answers to closing the gap in access to sustainable transit for many low income communities that lack bike infrastructure and efficient public transit systems. More on this in another post.
If cycling is accessible to you in all your daily activities, do your best to show up on two wheels on whatever bike you have. Just know that the most sustainable bike is the one you already have, it will last you for as long as you continue to use it.
Environmental Justice Is A Cycling Industry Issue Too
When it comes to industry and behavioral practices, we must account that environmental justice is not just a climate change issue but also a racial justice issue because WOC and BIPOC are the ones who disproportionately face the brunt of climate change and environmental racism. This is why our representation in cycling infrastructure, community, and the industry matters.
Consider these facts in the US: just 100 companies are responsible for 71% of global emissions. (Source: the Guardian). Black communities are exposed to 56% more pollution than is caused by their consumption. For Latinx communities, it is 63%. (Source: American Journal of Public Health). 97% of waste produced in the United States is corporate waste. 80% of businesses are owned & operated by white people. (Source: “The Story of Stuff” & US News).
While I think we can pressure the cycling industry as whole to lead in climate change, representation and inclusivity, I also think we as a community of BIPOC and women need to rethink and encourage investment in and support queer-owned, women-owned, and poc-owned spaces in cycling and climate justice. These groups have been doing the hard work of environmental justice, providing products that work, educating the public, and creating disruption in the system that has got us into a climate crises.
The point is that while cycling culture has created a need to have the latest kit and gear, we have to reduce our consumption of things and ask for more eco friendly practices in the industry to have a real impact on our climate.