GENT, Belgium (BRAIN)—The European Two-Wheelers’ Association, known as ETRA, will submit a report to the European Commission in the first half of 2011 outlining a strategy for a low carbon economy by 2050, including incorporating the use of bicycles as part of a clean transport system.
This comes after ETRA responded earlier this month to the European Commission’s request for consultation on a roadmap for a low carbon economy by 2050. According to ETRA, the consultation aims to gather stakeholders’ opinions on the best ways to mitigate climate change, reduce emissions in a sustainable way and enable growth and job creation in a low-carbon economy.
ETRA members include SRAM, the Accell Group, Bike Brno, Dahon, Giant, Schwalbe and Shimano.
“ETRA’s contribution outlines the need for the transport sector to transform itself if it is to become a driver of low-carbon growth, and underlines the numerous benefits of supporting non-motorized transport as a pillar of a sustainable transport sector,” the organization said in a press release.
ETRA believes that creating a low-carbon economy by 2050 will not be possible without fundamental changes in the structure of the European transport system. As many as half of all car trips are for distances of 6 kilometers or less and could be replaced by bicycle rides, the press release said. To achieve this, cycling must be integrated into all mobility policies, urban transport policies and electromobility policies.
“Investment in cycling infrastructure is also a key element in achieving the shift to bicycle use, which the EU can support by integrating cycling elements into its infrastructure policies such as the Transeuropean Transport Network policies,” the release said.
The bicycle business also has a part of play in a green economy by fostering employment particularly by taking advantage of former workers from the automobile industry, as that sector will undoubtedly suffer job losses during the transition to a low-carbon economy, ETRA said.
To read more about ETRA’s consultation, see the European Commission’s website at http://ec.europa.eu/clima/consultations/0005/index_en.htm
