Our planet is currently facing several simultaneous challenges that are undoubtedly shaping what the world will be like for future generations. These challenges are the so-called 17 Sustainable Development Goals (also known as the SDGs), adopted in 2015 by the United Nations and its constituent world leaders.

Each SDG is composed of a series of targets and indicators, which must be adapted to the realities of the different countries of the world, economic sectors, companies and even individuals. From the CiclaMadrid Association we firmly believe in the transversal power of the bicycle and cycle tourism to contribute to 8 of the 17 SDGs, not only from a touristic point of view, but from the potential of the bicycle as an engine of transformative change in mobility and society. Enter the world of the SDGs with us!

SDG 1: End poverty.

Cycle tourism is in itself a source of wealth and employment in rural areas, sometimes even being an alternative to other traditional sectors in decline and/or more polluting. By fostering entrepreneurship and the social fabric in the territories, it prevents depopulation and has a positive impact on the local economy.

SDG3: Health and well-being.

This goes without saying for regular users of two wheels, but if you are not yet one, the positive impact of cycling mobility on physical and mental health has been proven. Not only is physical exercise crucial to avoid widespread diseases in certain societies, such as obesity, but also the impact generated by the contact with nature and culture when traveling on two wheels could not be more positive.

 SDG 5: Gender equality.

According to the 2017 Bicycle Barometer, only 13% of women use a bicycle at least once a week, while the percentage of men rises to 31%. We need to end the social stigma attached to cycling and gender in order to make cycle tourism inclusive and a tool for positive change.  

SDG 13: Climate action.

The bicycle is undoubtedly a tool in the fight against the climate crisis, since it is a means of daily transportation that avoids the generation of carbon emissions. If we could replace many car trips with bicycles, air quality in cities would improve dramatically around the world and we would substantially reduce the CO2 impact on the atmosphere.

SDG 17: Partnerships to achieve the goals.

 

To achieve the SDGs, it is necessary to pay special attention to coordination between initiatives, private companies and public administration. This is something fundamental in CiclaMadrid and is part of our purpose as an association, where we work so that cycling tourism becomes a real tool for social change with an impact on the SDGs, but also on each of us.