World Sustainable Transport Day: what was at beginning of journey, and where next?

World Sustainable Transport Day is marked annually on 26 November. This sector plays an important part in shaping the economy – both of any individual country and of the planet as a whole: cargo and passenger transport and the functioning of production and consumption. Modern technologies help to improve the safety, accessibility, and efficiency of transport systems. The task is to minimise, as much as possible, carbon emissions and reduce the burden on the environment. Sustainable transport today is therefore not a luxury but a means of moving forward: towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

"The transport sector accounts for around a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions. Ninety-one per cent of the energy consumed by land, sea and air transport is derived from fossil sources. That is why this sector is among those that are hardest to decarbonise. Nevertheless, I am convinced that humanity is capable of overcoming its dependence on climate-damaging fossil fuels and creating sustainable, efficient and low-carbon transport systems based on new renewable sources of energy"

Antonio Guterres UN Secretary-General

The journey is neither short nor easy, as, according to the United Nations, more than half of the world’s population today lives in cities. These – together with megacities – generate more than 60 per cent of global GDP but also account collectively for more than 70 per cent of global carbon emissions. This issue is addressed in UN SDG No. 11 – “Sustainable Cities and Communities”. To help achieve it, different states join together in international cooperation.

In 2025, during Brazil’s presidency of the group, experts from BRICS countries discussed at meetings of the relevant working group the development of sustainable transport infrastructure and urban mobility. In particular, Brazil is actively promoting the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and has already launched a plant for the production of synthetic oil required for SAF. The basis of such fuel is raw material from renewable biological sources (cooking grease, agricultural waste). Compared to fossil fuels, SAF in its pure form reduces carbon emissions by 80 per cent, according to expert estimates.

As for urban public transport, the countries likewise emphasise environmental friendliness. The corresponding ministerial declaration includes the renewal and decarbonisation of bus fleets and the expansion of metro networks and rapid tram lines. Special attention was paid to international financing, including support from the BRICS New Development Bank in implementing such projects.

Following the 17th summit, the member countries confirmed their shared views on the transport issue.

"We reaffirm our commitment to develop sustainable and resilient transport infrastructure, recognising its critical role in economic growth, connectivity, and environmental sustainability. We emphasise the importance of further development of urban public transport systems and the promotion of active mobility to create a more equitable, livable, healthy, conducive, and less congested urban environment. We also recognise the need to encourage the use of zero and low emission vehicles in urban mobility," stated Rio de Janeiro Declaration (6 July 2025).

According to experts, it is not only the authorities (at global, national, regional and municipal levels) who can contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, but also residents of any settlement. For example, using public transport at least occasionally instead of a car; choosing a more environmentally friendly vehicle, such as an electric car instead of a petrol-powered one; considering switching in the warm season to a motorbike, moped or bicycle; and walking short distances instead of ordering a taxi.

Two-wheeled transport in megacities (provided the climate allows it) is a way of avoiding traffic jams, which significantly reduces both emissions and travel time. In many, even small settlements around the world, more and more universal charging stations are appearing, where electric scooters, mopeds and motorcycles can also be “refuelled”.

New developments, modern materials and even their own fashion trends: it is sometimes hard to keep up with the motorcycle industry. Analysts cite figures and call them a new absolute record: in 2024, global motorcycle sales reached 61.8 million units. Demand is growing year by year; among the leading producers of such transport are traditionally Japan, Germany, India, China, and the United States.

However, while looking into the future and opening up new horizons, enthusiasts of motor engineering do not forget where it all began. Enthusiasts in different parts of the world collect unique two-wheeled vehicles. One such collection exists in the Russian city of Chelyabinsk.

The unusual museum houses 115 exhibits – all in working condition. Many have survived as the only remaining examples. For instance, the “Malyutka” (“Little One”) motorcycle, invented in 1961 and assembled from improvised materials by the Chuvash self-taught constructor Vladimir Sharabin. For its time, the design proved so successful that it gained nationwide fame: according to some reports, this “iron pony”, displayed in Moscow at the Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy (VDNH), was once ridden by Nikita Khrushchev, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU. They say he was very pleased.

This “Baby” also left few indifferent: in 1963 engineers from Leningrad unveiled an interesting folding machine. Weighing 22.3 kg, it could reach speeds of up to 35 km/h. Carrying the “pocket” scooter in disassembled form was extremely convenient – though, of course, not in a pocket, but on the shoulder in a compact case. The “Baby” was developed specifically for geologists so that they could travel along dirt roads and rough terrain.

Russia’s largest private collections – of Soviet-era motorcycles and miniature motor vehicles – are displayed here alongside exhibits from different eras and from all over the world. India needed a “Raja” in the late 1970s. It became a new version of a Japanese prototype that was already outdated at the time. The designers added a luggage rack and altered the design so that a second passenger could definitely fit on the motorcycle. Millions of units of this model were produced, and one eventually “parked” in Chelyabinsk.

The museum’s founder, Nikolay Avdeev, began collecting vehicles while still a schoolboy. The childhood hobby became a lifelong passion: together with like-minded enthusiasts, he restores rare motorcycles, motor scooters, mopeds and motorised bicycles literally piece by piece – using photographs, drawings, manuals and archive documents. Old paint and traces of rust are removed; missing parts are found or manufactured. Sometimes they are even printed on a 3D printer.

One of the most difficult projects for the Chelyabinsk craftsmen, by their own admission, was a cargo moped for postal needs. Only four experimental units were ever produced, and only one survived: it now looks as good as new. Two-speed, with a reverse gear, this motorised transport was intended to carry correspondence weighing up to 60 kilograms but never entered mass production.

Sports bikes occupy a place of honour both in the exhibition and in motorcycle engineering history. For example, those on which one can play football. The team has five players, four of them riding manoeuvrable motorcycles, plus a goalkeeper on foot and one large ball, which is kept in place with the help of a special guard along the front wheel.

Today motorball is played using completely different machines; many “iron horses” have changed significantly. But it is not impossible that some ideas from the past may be of use to modern developers – and to young inventors who are only just discovering the world of science and technology.

Meanwhile, the Chelyabinsk enthusiasts continue striving towards new horizons: they intend to keep expanding their unique collection. And perhaps the creation of an original eco-friendly two-wheeled vehicle is not far off.