If the current transport trend is not reversed, the European Union will not meet the commitments under the Kyoto-Protocol. That is why the European Greens believe that we must change our ways of getting around, rather than allowing climate to change.

In all economic sectors, emissions have been reduced, except in the transport sector. Transport, mainly road and air, now accounts for around 30% of all EU emissions. What’s more, transport is by far the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions in the Union. The increasing pollution caused by transport may well undo the emission reductions in other sectors. Climate change was the central theme of this year’s European Mobility Week, dedicated by the European authorities to promote sustainable transport. In that framework, the European Greens presented a strategy paper on “soft mobility”. Proposed measures to realize a climate-friendly transport policy in Europe include among other things traffic reduction, introduction of a climate tax on aviation fuel, reviving Europe’s railways and the promotion of cycling and walking. Half of all car journeys in the EU are shorter than six kilometres, whilst 10% are even less than one kilometre. Many of these journeys could be made by bike or on foot. If only 30% of car journeys of less than six kilometres were made by bicycle instead, the volume of CO2 generated by road traffic would be cut by 4% in Germany for example.

To demonstrate climate-friendly mobility, a group of Green MEP’s and MEP assistants travelled, at the end of the European Mobility Week, the + 450 kilometres from Brussels to Strasbourg by bike and train. The whole journey was headed by the German MEP Michael Cramer. Along the way MEPs Claude Turmes, Pierre Jonckheer and Satu Hassi joined in and rode along for some kilometres. ECF and ETRA were represented at the event by Annick Roetynck. Both associations subscribe to the need for a radical change in transport in order to tackle climate change and to meet the Kyoto-Protocol. ECF and ETRA also believe that there is a huge potential for making transport more environmentally-friendly, simply by using a bike instead of a car for short trips; Annick Roetynck travelled with the party from Brussels to Strasbourg on an electric bike. On seeing the performance of the vehicle on the Ardennes’ slopes, one participant suggested that “turbo bike” is a more appropriate name. All MEP’s agreed that electric bikes may be a solution to persuade die-hard car drivers to cycle shorter distances. After a short test ride, MEP Michael Cramer stated that he was impressed by the performance of the vehicle.

The bike plus train journey proved to be a comfortable, easy and fairly cheap way to travel. In Luxembourg and France bikes are allowed on trains for free. In Belgium train passengers have to pay € 8,8 for a return trip for their bike. In some Belgian stations, one has to carry out daredevil feats to get one’s bike on the train. In other stations however, there is at least a ramp instead of stairs to the platform. And the floor of the newest trains is at the same level as the platform. On the fourth and last day of the journey, the party cycled over the astonishing Europa bridge, reserved for pedestrians and cyclists, into Strasbourg. They rode straight to the entrance of the European Parliament, leaving behind a row of MEP’s and their staff queuing for a parking place. Point proven. The journey sparked off so much enthusiasm that it will probably be repeated next year. The Greens hope, on that occasion to rally MEPs from other parties also.