COP26: active mobility enters the transport document

The promotion of active mobility, therefore by bike or on foot, has officially entered the transport document presented at COP 26.

COP 26 is the 26th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change, where 197 countries had to agree on how to contain emissions of climate-altering gases in each nation, timing and how much responsibility each state has compared to what they have already historically emitted.

The conference ended last November 12th and, unlike the first moment where it was not present in the documents, the part on active mobility was added after a strong media campaign by the cycle activists present in Glasgow and represents the first major recognition towards this topic.

The paragraph added to the statement states: “We recognize that, alongside the move to zero-emission vehicles, a sustainable future for road transport will require a broader system transformation, including support for active travel, public and shared transport, as well as the impact on the entire chain of the value deriving from the production, use and disposal of vehicles”.

By active mobility we mean moving on foot or by bicycle therefore, even if it is not reported in black and white, the great battle carried out by ECF is rewarded which promoted a letter, signed by over 300 associations globally, to give the bicycle the right space within COP26.

A few weeks ago, Henk Swarttouw, president of ECF and the WCA - World Cycling Alliance, underlined the enormous importance of focusing on pedal-powered two-wheelers, stating that: "Cycling should be a cornerstone of global, national and local strategies to achieve zero carbon targets. At COP26, governments must commit to providing funding and legislation for a safe and equitable space for cycling everywhere. Citizens are ready for change; now our leaders must implement it”.