It sounds like an impossible task: cycling to the climate summit in Brazil (COP30). Yet that is exactly what a group of climate and bicycle activists is currently trying. On May 14, the first cyclists left the border of Azerbaijan, where the previous climate summit took place.
Since then, changing groups of cyclists have crossed Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia and Italy, on their way to Portugal. A sailing ship has to leave there in October to bring a few cyclists to the top in Brazil.
This week another branch of the COP30 Bike Ride left from the Jaarbeursplein in Utrecht. When I come from the station with my bike, a colorful collection of about twenty cyclists has already gathered. One is dressed as a climate super hero, including a cape, another wears a Christmas hat for unclear reasons.
In some media, activists are sometimes put away as a frightening gang, but from close by they are usually mainly a mess. It also appears in Utrecht, if two independent witnesses are needed when signing a poster. They have to fill in a form for the Guinness World Records , because the activists are officially trying to complete the longest bicycle relay ever.
One witness is already good to fill in the form. “The other is pleading again!”, Someone shouts. As an independent observer, your reporter then decides to act as a witness to the start of this record attempt.
Last year to Baku
When the opening formalities have been completed, the group can start the first stage towards Dordrecht. I cycle for a day, at Kletstempo right through the Groene Hart. Many participants appear to be seasoned cyclists. Some also cycled to the climate tops in Paris (2015), Glasgow (2021) or Baku (2024).
Organizer Jolein Schorel took about half the distance between Paris and Baku last year, including a long course through Turkey and Georgia. It was unclear for a long time whether the cyclists should actually enter Azerbaijan, because the authoritarian state keeps its national borders closed in recent years.
After a week of waiting near the border, it is possible to beat the Azerbaijani bureaucracy. “I got a phone call:” You are on the list, you have to go to the border now! “
The bicycle as a climate solution
It is therefore not easy to organize such a long cycle route through numerous countries, let alone to actually take the trip. But by doing it anyway, Schorel hopes to draw attention to the bicycle as a solution for climate change, air pollution and health problems.
On the route, discussions are planned everywhere with aldermen, mayors and local bicycle organizations. The activists have a list of ten proposals, which call for better bicycle infrastructure and recognition of the bicycle as the core part of a green economy. Every municipality is asked for a statement of support, so that the activists can appear with a full bug in the Brazilian city of Belém.
In many places, cycling is not yet a matter of course, Schorel has been able to see en route. Bicycle paths are missing in many countries, or are suddenly interrupted. As a result, many people do not find it safe enough to get on the bike. “On the way you come across people who would like to cycle everywhere, but it just goes wrong on all fronts,” she says.
“Such an international initiative suddenly gives value to their local efforts,” Schorel continues. She hopes to leave her enthusiasm for the bike as an oil slick on the route. Yet the seasoned bicycle fanatic feels “actually no activist at all,” she says. To add laughing: “It is of course totally unbelievable when I say that.”
After a five-hour trip it starts to drip, but luckily the group of cyclists is already arriving at the campsite of PFAS factory Chemours at the campsite. Most people present continue to cycle to Brussels or Paris, after which others take over. The relay has just under two months to reach Lisbon, after which – if the boat does indeed go – a sailing trip of more than a month follows.
It sounds like an impossible task: cycling to the climate summit in Brazil (COP30). Yet That is Exactly What a Group of Climate and Cycling Activists is Currently Trying to Do. On May 14, The First Cyclists Departed from the Border of Azerbaijan, Where the Previous Climate Summit Tok Place.
Changing Groups of Cyclists Have Since Crossed Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia and Italy, On Their Way to Portugal. There, a Sailing Ship Must Depart in October to Bring A Few Cyclists to the Summit in Brazil.
This week, Another Branch of the COP30 Bike Ride Departed from Jaarbeursplein in Utrecht. When I myself come out of the station with my bicycle, a colorful collection of about twenty cyclists has already gathered. One is dressed as a climate superhero, including cape, another is Wearing a Santa Hat for Unclear Reasons.
Activists are Sometimes Dismissed in Some Media As A Frightening Gang, But Up Close They Are Usualy Just A Motley Crew. This also turns out to be the case in Utrecht, when two independent witnesses are needed to sign a poster. They have to fill out a form for the garness world records , because the activists are trying to official complete the lungest cycling relay ever.
One Witness is Already Bravely Filling Out the Form. “The other one is gone again!” Someone shouts. As an independent Observer, your reporter decides to act as a witness to the start of this record attempt.
Last year to baku
Once the opening formalities have leg Completed, The Group Can start the First Stage Towards Dordrecht. I cycle along for a day, at the pace straight through the green heart. Many participants turn out to be seasoned cyclists. Some had Previously Cycled to the Climate Summits in Paris (2015), Glasgow (2021) OR Baku (2024).
Organizer Jolein Schorel Covered About Half The Distance Between Paris and Baku Last Year, Including a Long Course Through Turkey and Georgia. It was unclear for a long time Whether the cyclists would actual be allowed into azerbaijan, because the authoritarian state has -leg keping its borders closed in recent years.
After Waiting Near the Border For A Week, They managed to defeat the azerbaijani desk cracy. “I recedived a phone call:” You are on the list, you have to go to the border now! “” The cyclists were in Baku just before the start of the climate summit.
The Bicycle As a Climate Solution
So it is not easy to organize such a long cycling route through numbererous country, let alone actually complete the trip. But by doing it anyway, Schorel Hopes to Draw Attention to the Bicycle as a Solution to Climate Change, Air Pollution and Health Problems.
Discussions are planned everywhere along the route with Aldermen, Mayors and Local Cycling Organizations. The activists have a list of for the proposals with them, Calling for Better Cycling Infrastructure and Recognition of the Bicycle As a Core Component of a Green Economy. Each Municipality is asked for a letter of support, so that the activists can Appear in the Brazilian City of Belém with a full binder.
Cycling is not Yet a Matter of Course in Many Places, Schorel Has Seen Along The Way. Cycle Paths Are Lacking in Many Countries, or are Suddenly Interrupted. As a result, many people do not feel safe enough to get on their bikes. “You meet people everywhere along the way would like to cycle, but it simply runs aground on all fronts,” She says.
“Such an International Initiative Suddenly Gives Value to Their Local Efforts Again,” Schorel Continues. She Hopes to Leave Her Enthusiasm for the Bicycle As An Oil Slick Along The Route. Yet the Seasoned Cycling Enthusiast “Doesn’tn’t Actually Feel Like An Activist at All,” She says. To add with a burst of Laughter: “Or Course IT is completely Unbelievable IF I Say That.”
After a Five-Hour Ride It Starts to Drizzle, But Fortunately The Group of Cyclists Already Arrives at the Campsite Under The Smoke of PFAS Factory Chemours. Most of Those Present Will Continue Cycling to Brussels or Paris, After What Others Will Take Over. The Relay Has Just Under Two Months to Reach Lisbon, After which – If the Boat Actual Goes – A Sailing Trip of More Than a Month Will Follow.