World Bicycle Day: getting around your vacation destination

Happy World Bicycle Day! Today, your vacation rental agency would like to take a look at transportation during your holidays. How do you get to your destination? How do you get around once you're there?

‍

10% of greenhouse gas emissions in France are linked to vacations and leisure activities. While tourism stakeholders must also take action to limit these emissions, everyone can consider the best choices to make on an individual level.

‍

Getting to your vacation destination

The first choice we have to make is the mode of transport that will take us to our vacation spot. Depending on the point of departure and arrival, different solutions are available: train, bus, plane, car... To better understand the carbon impact of your travel, you can use calculators like the one from ADEME.

‍

While flying may seem like a quick way to reach a vacation spot, it is also the most polluting of the options available to us. With the current pandemic, the car is the one that seems to offer the most security. To offset its impact, however, it is important to fill all the seats.

‍

According to ADEME, “Per person and per kilometer, the train pollutes 8 times less than a car and 14 times less than a plane.” Many French and European destinations are easily accessible by train with Interrail, for example. For those worried about taking the train during the pandemic, travel conditions have been adapted with the provision of hand sanitizer and the mandatory wearing of masks. Depending on the train, the interior air is completely replaced every 5 to 9 minutes.

‍

Getting around locally

Whether you have chosen public transport or prefer to leave your car in the garage, there are many solutions for getting around easily in the city or reaching major monuments in certain regions.

‍

Find out about the possibility of taking free shuttles or using public transport. Different cities offer day passes. To avoid clogging up city centers, you can park on the outskirts and then use the tram, subway, or bus.

‍

Finally, whether you are in the city or the countryside, take the opportunity to rediscover sustainable mobility. Get around by bike, skateboard, rollerblades, scooter... Vacations are the perfect time to take your time. You will appreciate the facilities dedicated to these modes of transport and will undoubtedly discover another aspect of the places you are visiting.

‍

Offsetting your carbon footprint

‍

Offsetting your carbon footprint is a way to counterbalance the environmental impact of a trip. This compensation can take several forms. It consists of financing various projects such as tree planting, the development of renewable energies, energy efficiency, or the reduction of emissions other than greenhouse gases.

‍

Many calculators exist, such as the one from GoodPlanet, the foundation created by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. You then have the option to offset your emissions. While you have the option to offset only your travel, it can also be interesting to think about the activities you enjoyed or the food you consumed.

‍

While offsetting your carbon footprint is an important step, it does not replace the need to think about our consumption habits. Offsetting your emissions is just one way to enjoy your vacation in a more eco-responsible way.