The global movement for climate action is taking a literal road trip this autumn as the third consecutive international climate relay gains momentum on its way to the COP31 United Nations Climate Change Conference. Scheduled to take place in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9–20, 2026, the summit is the target of a massive, multi-continental cycling initiative designed to highlight the tangible role of non-motorized transport in the urgent fight against climate change.
The scale of this year’s journey is unprecedented. The relay originated in Belem, Brazil, the site of recent global environmental discourse, before completing a daring Atlantic crossing via sailboat. Upon reaching Lisbon, the relay branched out into a network of land-based cycling routes, all converging toward Turkey. This unique mode of transit—which prioritizes wind-powered sea travel and human-powered road travel—serves as a symbolic rebuke to the carbon-heavy logistics usually associated with global climate summits.
For the first time since the initiative began, Greece has been designated as a central hub for the relay. On September 30, a dedicated contingent of Greek cyclists, coordinated by the Hellenic Autonomous Randonneurs (HAR), will depart from Athens. The group is set to embark on a rigorous eight-day journey, traversing approximately 1,200 kilometers before arriving in Pinarhisar, Turkey. From there, the delegation will join the broader international assembly for the final leg of the trek toward the COP31 host city.
Elena Zervou, president of the Hellenic Autonomous Randonneurs, emphasized that the event is more than a display of athletic endurance; it is a serious political endeavor. “Our objective is to illuminate the immediate, practical role that cycling plays in drastically reducing emissions within our urban centers,” Zervou stated. “We are not simply riding for visibility; we are arriving with concrete policy proposals and official letters of commitment from various municipalities to present directly to the COP31 delegates.”
The participation of local governments is a key component of the relay’s strategy. By securing commitment letters from municipalities, the cyclists are creating a grassroots link between local infrastructure changes and the high-level policy negotiations happening in Antalya. These proposals typically advocate for expanded cycling networks, safer urban integration for non-motorized vehicles, and the prioritization of sustainable transit in future city planning—measures that the participants argue are essential for meeting the Paris Agreement’s climate targets.
As the relay makes its way across Europe, it serves as a moving exhibition of the logistical viability of cycling. By traversing thousands of miles, the participants aim to challenge the prevailing reliance on automobiles and fossil-fuel-dependent transport. The images emerging from these stopovers—such as those recently captured in Prague, where local advocates joined the riders—highlight a growing international solidarity centered on the necessity of decarbonization.
As the Antalya summit approaches, the arrival of these cyclists will represent a physical embodiment of the public’s demand for climate accountability. With policy dossiers in hand and thousands of kilometers logged, the participants of the COP31 Bike Ride are ensuring that the message of sustainable mobility remains at the forefront of the international climate agenda.
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