Steel city bikes have 15 times lower environmental impact. According to the impact analysis, a city bike made of steel has a 15 times lower environmental impact than an aluminium electric bicycle. The Quickscan Circular Bicycle by New Economy reports this. The environmental impact and lifespan of bicycles are rarely mapped systematically.
Steering on lifespan and repairability reduces the impact of bicycles most. This is relevant for bicycle manufacturers, designers and organisations in circular mobility.