The United Nations has declared Sunday 26 November World Sustainable Transport Day and, as South Australia likely basks in beautiful spring sunshine, it’s a perfect day to get out for a ride and enjoy all the advantages of the most sustainable form of transport there is.

Sustainability has never been further to the forefront of the worldwide public consciousness and conversation. After the long string of devastating, record-setting heatwaves and wildfires throughout 2023, the continued pace of electric vehicle development, and the burgeoning trend of governments around the world deprioritising the personal motor vehicle, the surge towards clean, green, healthy transport is relentless.

But to stop complacency from rearing its ugly head and stemming that tide of progress, we must all continue to make the most of every such opportunity as WST Day to keep increasing awareness of all the individual and community benefits of more people shifting to sustainable active transport.

The UN accepted the resolution for WSTD – led by Turkmenistan and co-sponsored by 66 other nations – to recognise the important role that safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for everyone have in supporting sustainable economic growth, improving social welfare and enhancing international cooperation and trade.

In doing so, it stipulated its aim that the day highlights the UN’s goals to tackle pressing challenges and identify opportunities for sustainable mobility.

The announcement comes just over a year since the UN General Assembly accepted a previous resolution that called for the integration of mainstream bicycling into public transportation systems for sustainable development.

The day is an opportunity for governments, organisations and individuals to reflect on their transportation choices and commit to better alternatives. By embracing cycling and other sustainable modes of transport, we can create a greener, healthier and more equitable world.

Cycling provides an accessible and affordable means of transportation for all, irrespective of age, socioeconomic background or gender. Cycling also promotes social inclusivity, creating vibrant communities and fostering a sense of belonging.

By investing in cycling infrastructure, governments at all levels will not only encourage more people to embrace cycling but also create the environment to enable safer, more sustainable and more enjoyable journeys for all road users.

Furthermore, sustainable transport – by providing meaningful, practical transport options to the many millions of people worldwide who will never afford a private motor vehicle – can fast-track progress towards other crucial goals, such as eradicating poverty, reducing inequality, empowering women and combatting climate change.

Sustainable transport not only supports the health of the individual – via increased activity – and of society in general – via reduced air and noise pollution – it also offers the benefits of minimising consumption of our finite energy reserves as well as making more effective use of our land and our time, by reducing the time we waste stuck in traffic.

Bike SA encourages everyone to ride, walk, take public transport or embrace the advantages of real multi-modal transport by using all the above on November 26 and undeniably demonstrate how many South Australians are committed to a cleaner future based around healthy active transit.

Take photos of your ride and post them social media using the hashtags #worldsustainabletransportday and #bikesa. Do it in the days leading up to the 26th to build momentum for the day and let’s deliver a message loud and clear that action on this issue can no longer be endlessly shuffled to the bottom of the pile. 

Sustainability is not a “nice idea” or a “trend”, it is crucial to our future. This is an existential threat right now and it’s time for real leadership and action.

Join us in shining a spotlight on this important day and show our leaders that everyone – from a local enthusiast to the United Nations General Assembly – values a safer, cleaner and more equitable spread of transport options.