How was 690 calculated: Riding Towards Environmental Action and Awareness

You may have come across the number 690 in discussions about making cycling carbon neutral. But how exactly was this figure determined? Let’s dive into the specifics of the calculation to understand how riding 690 kilometers can offset the carbon emissions associated with producing a bicycle.

The calculation of the 690 kilometers required to make a bicycle carbon neutral is based on comparing the carbon emissions produced during the manufacturing of a bicycle with the emissions saved by using the bicycle instead of driving a car. By offsetting the emissions from bicycle production with the reduction in emissions from not driving, the threshold of 690 kilometers is established as the point at which a bicycle becomes carbon neutral.

How was 690 calculated:

• Carbon emissions from manufacturing of a bicycle: Around 174 kilograms – Trek bicycles

• Distance traveled per gallon: 22.2 miles per gallon – EPA

• Fuel per 1 km of driving: 3.8/22.2/1.6 = 0.107 liters

• Carbon emissions from 1 gallon of fuel: 8.9 kg – EPA

• Carbon emissions from 1 liter of fuel: 8.9/3.78541 = 2.35 kg/L

• Carbon emissions to travel 1 kilometer in a car: 0.25145 kg/km

Reference: 

• Rule of 430. Trek Bikes. Accessed 13 Aug. 2024.

• US EPA, OAR. Greenhouse Gas Emissions from a Typical Passenger Vehicle. 12 Jan. 2016, EPA.gov.