Climate Change Threatens Cycling As We Know It

Coinciding with the start of the UCI Cycling World Championships last week, climate action non-profit Protect Our Winters (POW) have released a new report detailing findings that indicate the substantial risks posed to cycling by climate change. The report, Downhill From Here: How Climate Change Threatens Cycling as We Know It, hears from athletes experiencing the negative impacts first-hand and explains what will happen as climate change continues. 

As extreme weather threatens access to trails, the safety of events, and the overall health and enjoyment of cycling, POW is urging brands, governing bodies, teams and individual cyclists of all levels to take action through education, campaigning and implementing climate strategies that will help with the ultimate goal of achieving Net Zero by 2040. 

With the UCI cycling championships underway, all eyes are on UK’s world-class biking trails. The report details the viability of sports and events that rely on these trails and environments, finding that they are more at risk than ever before, highlighting threats to access, health, and experience in cycling, including:

• Extreme weather, wetter winters, melting roads, wildfires, flooding, and erosion all threaten bikers’ access to the trails.
• Rising temperatures and decreased air quality risk the spread of vector borne disease, while reduced access may have an impact on participants’ overall mental health and wellbeing.
• Cycling events are under increased strain due to unpredictable weather, compromising participation, enjoyment, and their ability to operate at all.