grantoury
Kona Fan
This article discusses research into co2 emmisions for bicycles during their lifetime and gives some fascinating insights in the value of bicycles. In short; lifetime for bicycles have become shorter and co2 emmisions for their production increases. The good news is that even with decreasing lifetimes for bicycles, their co2 emmisions are far below that of cars. Old steel bicycles with quality components have longer lifespans and for this reason, they have so much more value. The longer they are being used, the lower the co2 emmisions become.
The best is this: "Many researchers advocate switching back to producing bicycles from steel instead of aluminium and other energy-intensive materials. That would bring significant gains in sustainability for a relatively low cost – slightly heavier bicycles." and: "Better component compatibility would increase the life expectancy of bicycles – also electric ones – through repair and refurbishment. It would bring no disadvantages for consumers, even on the contrary." The only downside is that as bicycles have longer life spans, sales of new bicycles go down, so prices will increase.
And shockingly regarding new components: “the abandonment of standardization is a profitable business model because it ensures that bicycles can only be ridden for so long.”
https://solar.lowtechmagazine.com/2023/02/can-we-make-bicycles-sustainable-again.html
There are a few things that could be added, for instance that most bicycles do not replace a car, and that nowhere near every bicycle is used for its entire useful life. As you can see from the dozens of bicycles that are fished out of the canals in Amsterdam.
The best is this: "Many researchers advocate switching back to producing bicycles from steel instead of aluminium and other energy-intensive materials. That would bring significant gains in sustainability for a relatively low cost – slightly heavier bicycles." and: "Better component compatibility would increase the life expectancy of bicycles – also electric ones – through repair and refurbishment. It would bring no disadvantages for consumers, even on the contrary." The only downside is that as bicycles have longer life spans, sales of new bicycles go down, so prices will increase.
And shockingly regarding new components: “the abandonment of standardization is a profitable business model because it ensures that bicycles can only be ridden for so long.”
https://solar.lowtechmagazine.com/2023/02/can-we-make-bicycles-sustainable-again.html
There are a few things that could be added, for instance that most bicycles do not replace a car, and that nowhere near every bicycle is used for its entire useful life. As you can see from the dozens of bicycles that are fished out of the canals in Amsterdam.
