On August 14, the COP30 bike ride, a citizen-led international relay initiative, passed through Nice and Cannes, traveling from COP29 in Azerbaijan to Belém, Brazil in November 2025 for COP30.
Crossing 11 countries by bike and covering more than 6,500 km to promote the establishment of bike lanes, this is the route of the COP30 bike ride. The goal is not merely symbolic; the citizen campaign seeks to provoke real political changes. One aspect of their plan involves engaging with local stakeholders to implement integrated and secure bike lanes. In addition, commitments are made with local elected officials to ensure the strengthening of cycling policies.
Arriving on the evening of August 13 in Nice, the two cyclists explained their commitment. Since COP29, the ten proposals have not changed; they serve as leverage to promote cycling as a means to combat climate change and promote sustainable mobility. “It’s not just a small group of cyclists going to the United Nations, but we have a network of associations and local administrations. That’s the case with Nice à vélo; we contact the town halls to implement these requests,” says Filippo Varanini, a participant of the event.
An engagement letter for the municipalities
The local administration, according to Filippo Varanini, must commit to implementing three of the ten proposals in its city by signing an engagement letter. This could involve new cycling routes, a bike parking lot, intermodality between cycling and public transport, or education initiatives…
According to our information, the local authorities who have signed the official document are in Slovenia, Croatia, and Italy. To date, 15 Italian cities have signed the document. In France, Anne Hidalgo, the socialist mayor of Paris, has agreed to sign it.
Photo: COP30 bike ride
Fighting for a common good
“I am part of the international association BYCS associated with the headquarters in Amsterdam. Although not official, I am responsible in my city of Florence, and through the organization, I was contacted by the organizers of the COP30 bike ride,” explains Jacopo Bardi, coordinator of the BYCS association for Florence. Putting his activity at the service of an international context by creating synergy between countries and associations is crucial, according to Jacopo Bardi.
“Travel is a passion; we do sports indeed, but that’s not the main reason for my participation. Moreover, I don’t see it as a competition. Previously, I have been involved in associations committed to urban cycling and sustainable mobility, without having obtained a formal activist card,” details Filippo Varanini. According to the Italian cyclist, it is essential to consider physical, social, psychological, and environmental health to promote a better quality of life in the city.
Key facts to know about the event
According to our source, at one stage, a highly attended day had 60 participants. This number is relatively high, but it should be noted that it depends on the territory, emphasizes Filippo Varanini. Since their departure, 400 people have joined the citizen movement.
“Another goal is to enter the Guinness book of records as the largest cycling relay in history,” enthuses Filippo Varanini. On September 5, the departure from Lisbon is scheduled by sailboat. Thirty-five days of travel across the Atlantic are organized, according to the available document from the COP30 bike ride website. You can also follow the stages of the cycling relay route through the interactive map.
