- cross-posted to:
- coolguides@lemmit.online
Carbon footprint is a term that was made up by oil companies to shift blame from them to us.
Doesn’t change the fact that some forms of travel are objectively worse for the environment than others. If you can reasonably take a train or a bus instead of a plane or car, you should do so.
So bicycles are not a major form of transport?
Does it produce CO₂?
You’re breathing more intensely than usual, so there is some overhead. But then again walking would take longer and may produce more carbon overall for the same distance
Interestingly research actually shows electric bikes to have less of a carbon footprint than manual bikes even when accounting for the electricity, battery, motor, etc. due to the rider needing to consume fewer calories to provide the muscle power. But we’re talking numbers so small that it’s really not worth worrying about in the grander scheme of things. So if you’re feeling some guilt about the extra components in your ebike you don’t need to, but if you’re looking at an ebike to replace your regular one don’t make the decision purely based on carbon footprint, but instead focus on if you need/want it.
And don’t forget the methane from your farts.
There is also tyre wear particles to be considered! /s