Pedaling Towards a Greener Future: The Benefits of Bicycles in Reducing Carbon Emissions

When I was about 10 years old, I was excited about my uncle’s bicycle. I so loved it whenever he visited my family with it. I would cry after he left and insist that I wanted my bicycle. My dad always refused to buy it for me. I am 20 years now, and I’ve finally found out why he never got me one. I always pushed the bicycle around instead of riding it and I was afraid to learn. Well, of course, I do not remember that bit, but my father teases me whenever he has the chance that the bicycle used to ride me instead of me riding it. Ha! Good old days. I'm a better cyclist now by the way.

Today, in the face of pressing environmental challenges like global warming, where there are warmer temperatures mostly due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas producing heat-trapping gas, the bicycle emerges as a simple, affordable, clean, and environmentally fit solution to help combat this challenge.

By choosing this sustainable means of transportation, everybody can play an active role in reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change on the environment.

SnooCODE contributes to addressing these challenges with its route optimisation capabilities. Over the years, our experience in Africa brought forward the need for a system that would make movement to multiple locations for field work like parcel deliveries more efficient. We, therefore, developed our Route Optimisation system, which optimises routes 42,000 times faster than the conventional method.  Our Route Optimisation solution, which also works offline and reduces road time by as much as 72.3 percent, ensures efficiency, more deliveries per day, and reduced CO2 emissions and fuel costs.

In trials, a Ghanaian clothing company that used to be able to make an average of 8 out of 10 deliveries a day were now able to deliver 18 packages of African fabric face masks (their initiative to help battle COVID-19) in 1 day. Using SnooCODE’s route optimisation system, their delivery man was able to cover a total of 173km in 6hrs 40 mins, instead of a conventional route of 406km in 11hrs 40mins.

With soaring fuel prices and maintenance costs, cars and motorcycles have become financially burdensome. Bicycles, on the other hand, are considerably more affordable, requiring minimal investment and maintenance. They do not rely on expensive fuels and have fewer parts that need repairs or replacement. By choosing bicycles, individuals can save money on transportation costs, allowing them to allocate resources to other important aspects of their lives.

Finally, let us not forget the great health benefits that come with riding bicycles as they are a great tool for physical fitness and enhance personal well-being. It improves cardiovascular health, increases stamina, and promotes mental well-being. By incorporating cycling into our daily routines, we would be adopting a more active and healthy lifestyle, reducing the risk of obesity and associated health problems.

Embracing bicycles as a primary mode of transportation not only benefits individuals but also fosters a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future for generations to come. By prioritizing health and environmental consciousness, we can build sustainable communities that thrive.