Decathlon Mobility Transition Pathway Pledge
DECATHLON publishes its Mobility Transition Pathway Pledge to encourage sustainable mobility on a European Scale
To mark the occasion of European Mobility Week, which runs from September 16th to 22nd, 2024, DECATHLON has published its Mobility Transition Pathway Pledge to reinforce its commitment to the transition to sustainable mobility on a European scale.
Today, 56% of the world's population, or 4.4 billion people, live in cities. This trend is set to continue: by 2050, with the current number of city dwellers doubling, almost seven out of every ten people in the world will live in urban areas.
Over the years, mobility has become a complex system with multiple impacts on public health, climate change, pollution and safety.
As Europe’s largest bike manufacturer, DECATHLON is aware of its role in transforming the mobility ecosystem and aims to make bikes more accessible to all. DECATHLON has already made commitments as part of the European Commission's Mobility Transition Pathway, among others supporting the implementation of the European Declaration on Cycling.
DECATHLON is convinced that by promoting bicycles as a more active, efficient and less impactful mode of transportation, it can help contribute to the decarbonisation of the transport sector, cut down on urban traffic congestion, and ensure access to active mobility for all. Similarly to other mobility sectors, the bicycle industry is currently changing and adapting towards e-mobility with the share of e-bike sales estimated to exceed those of conventional bicycles by 2030.
With this publication, DECATHLON is advocating the need for coordination at European level to encourage citizens to adopt this promising alternative for the environment and public health.
To this end, DECATHLON has made 9 commitments in favour of sustainable mobility:
- Support the implementation of the European Commission proposal for a European Declaration on Cycling
- Develop, with all relevant stakeholders (regional authorities, business owners, workers, academia and citizens), regional transition strategies for the mobility ecosystem
- Promote long-term rental, sharing, second hand market, and leasing for bikes and e-bikes
- Communicate and regularly inform the public about the impacts, risks and opportunities linked to the transition, to reduce existing uncertainties, and help stakeholders embrace the transformation and take action to adapt
- Contribute to the implementation of the EU Critical Raw Material Act’s objectives relevant for the mobility ecosystem / Support de-risking strategies
- Promote recycling and circularity to reduce the environmental/social footprint and increase the resilience of the EU supply chain for critical raw materials
- Support the development of the battery value-chain for eBikes
- Improve occupational health and safety to attract and retain skilled workers in the sector
- Create a Cycling sectorial skills alliance, aiming to facilitate the transition of jobs into cycling manufacturing
Luis Costa, DECATHLON Sustainable Mobility Manager: “Every day, cities are expanding and mobility has become a major urban issue. DECATHLON, as Europe's largest bicycle manufacturer and retailer, understands that cycling can play a key role in decarbonization. It also remains an accessible means of regular physical activity, especially for children. Our vision is to give people the freedom to get around in a more active and sustainable way.”
With this contribution to the Mobility Transition Pathway, DECATHLON showcases its efforts to contribute to a resilient and sustainable cycling sector and hopes that the European Union continues to support the bicycle industry.
ABOUT DECATHLON
A global multi-specialist sports brand catering for everyone from beginners to top athletes, DECATHLON is an innovative manufacturer of sporting goods for all skill levels. With 101,000 teammates and 1,750 stores worldwide, DECATHLON and its teams have been working ever since 1976 to fulfill an ongoing ambition: Move people through the wonders of sport, to help them be healthier and happier in a sustainable future.
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MEDIA CONTACTS
DECATHLON United
Olivier PEDRO-JOSE
Global Head of Media & Public Relations
DECATHLON Sustainability
Rafaële DEGUÉHÉGNY
Sustainability PR Manager