World Sustainable Transportation Day; Where did the path start and where does it go? – Mehr news agency RCO News Agency

According to RCO News Agency, quoted by BRICS TV, the World Sustainable Transportation Day is celebrated on November 26 every year. This day in 2023 was designated by the United Nations General Assembly to highlight the role of environmentally friendly transportation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. This sector plays an important role in the formation of the economies of countries and the world, and its evolution affects the transportation of goods and passengers, as well as the production and consumption process. New technologies also improve the safety, accessibility and efficiency of transportation networks, and the main goal is to reduce carbon emissions and reduce pressure on the environment.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has announced that the transportation sector accounts for about a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions, and 91% of the energy consumed in land, sea, and air transportation is still provided by fossil sources. He emphasized that despite the difficulties, humanity is able to reduce its dependence on climate-damaging fuels and create low-carbon and efficient transportation systems.

According to the United Nations report, more than half of the world’s population lives in cities today. Cities and metropolises form more than 60% of the world’s gross production, but they also account for more than 70% of global carbon emissions. This challenge has been taken into consideration in the 11th goal of sustainable development, i.e. “sustainable cities and communities”, and governments have expanded international cooperation to realize it.

In 2025 and at the same time as Brazil’s chairmanship of the group, experts from the BRICS countries discussed the development of sustainable transport infrastructure and the improvement of urban transport in specialized working group meetings. Brazil has particularly promoted the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and has set up a synthetic oil production unit for these fuels. This fuel is produced from recycled biological sources such as cooking oil and agricultural waste, and according to experts, it reduces carbon emissions by 80% compared to fossil fuels.

In the field of urban public transportation, countries have emphasized on the modernization and reduction of bus fleet emissions, the development of subway lines, and the expansion of fast tram lines. Also, the issue of international financing for the implementation of these projects, including the support of the new BRICS Development Bank, has been taken into consideration.

In the final statement of the 17th meeting, the member states reiterated their common view on this issue. The Rio de Janeiro Declaration states that members are committed to developing resilient and sustainable transport infrastructure and consider low-carbon urban transport essential to create a healthier and livable environment. The statement also emphasizes promoting the use of low-emission vehicles.

Experts believe that the realization of sustainable development goals is not limited to governments and citizens can also play an important role. Occasional use of public transportation instead of a private car, choosing clean cars such as electric cars, replacing motorbikes or bicycles in the hot season, and walking short distances are among these actions.

Bicycle or motorcycle transportation in metropolitan cities where weather conditions allow can reduce traffic and emissions and shorten travel time. Public charging stations for electric motorcycles, scooters and light motorcycles are also expanding in many small cities around the world.

The global motorcycle market has grown significantly in recent years. Analysts have announced that global sales of motorcycles will reach 61.8 million units in 2024, which is a new record. Japan, Germany, India, China and America are the main producers in this field.

At the same time, motorcycle enthusiasts have not forgotten the past and collectors in different parts of the world have started collecting rare examples. One of these unique collections is located in the city of Chelyabinsk, Russia, and it houses 115 types of motorcycles and two-wheeled vehicles, all of which are in working condition. Some of these examples are the only remaining models of their kind.

Among these motorcycles is the “Malyutka”, which was built in 1961 by Vladimir Sharapin, a self-taught builder from Chuvashia, with rudimentary parts, and became nationally famous for its successful design. The motorcycle, which was on display at the National Achievements Exhibition in Moscow, is said to have once been ridden by Soviet Communist Party First Secretary Nikita Khrushchev.

In 1963, Leningrad engineers designed an attractive folding model that weighed 22.3 kg and reached a speed of 35 km/h. This device was made for geologists and it was possible to carry it in a small bag.

In this museum, a large collection of Soviet-era motorcycles and small motor vehicles from different countries are also displayed. For example, the “Raja” model produced in India in the 1970s, which was redesigned based on a Japanese model and provided the possibility of carrying two passengers and cargo, is one of these examples.

The founder of this museum, Nikolai Audiv, started collecting motorcycles from his school days and now, together with a group of rare enthusiasts, he restores motorcycles, scooters and motor bikes with the help of photos, maps and archival documents. Worn out parts are rebuilt or replaced with new ones and in some cases even produced with 3D printing.

One of the group’s most difficult projects was the revival of a postal cargo motorcycle, of which only four prototypes were built, and only one survives. This two-speed motorcycle with reverse gear was designed to carry parcels up to 60 kg, but it was never mass-produced.

Sports motorcycles also have an important place in this museum. Among the models that are specially designed for motor soccer game; In this game, there are four players on motorcycles and a goalkeeper on foot, and the big match ball is controlled by a protector on the front wheel.

Despite the extensive changes in the motorcycle industry and the use of new technologies, experts believe that the ideas of the past can still inspire a new generation of inventors. Chelyabinsk enthusiasts are also planning to expand their collection and it is likely that they will build an environmentally friendly two-seater in the near future.