ecoinvent Cycles Through 2025

What was the most challenging part of the Climate Classic?

Nick Van Berckelaer (CPTO): Cycling along the Netherlands’ future coastline in a heatwave really brings the message home. If we don’t act, we won’t solve it.

Carl Vadenbo (Database Content Lead): I think the biggest challenge was the logistics needed to take part in the event. Suitable train connections with bike reservations were sparse, and finding an electric vehicle large enough for us and the gear was a hassle. But I was also positively surprised by how convenient it was to travel to the Netherlands and back with the charging infrastructure. The main challenge at the event was probably the sheer number of riders (so the luxury problem of popularity) in our category, which caused quite a bit of congestion on the normal bike paths (which were otherwise really good).

Do you feel closer to our partners at PRé Sustainability after this cycling experience?

Carl Vadenbo (Database Content Lead): It was great to interact with people at PRé whom we don’t usually engage with in our daily work or meet at LCA conferences. I think it gave a better mutual understanding of how we are growing as organizations, but also showed that the spirit and commitment to sustainability go beyond the ‘environmentalists’.

What are your key learnings from the 2025 Climate Classic?

Nick Van Berckelaer (CPTO): Nothing beats the creative flow of discussing the future of sustainability data and insights technology while on the bike. I’m going to do more of my meetings on the move.

Carl Vadenbo (Database Content Lead): A notable quote from the race is that we don’t have the problem in Switzerland of bike races or challenges being halted by bridges opening over canals…

Bikoinventers (1264 km)

• • Armin Agic (Lead Outbound Sales)
  • Paul Beckert (Data Analyst)
  • Mattia Clementi (Project Manager)
  • Carl Vadenbo (Database Content Lead)

Pedal & Furious (644 km)

• • Enrico Bonanno (Project Manager)
  • Demetrio Carrara (Delivery Lead)
  • António Silva (Software Engineer)
  • Nick Van Berckelaer (Chief Product & Technology Officer)

Rest of the World (845 km)

• • Olivia Kaarlela (Data Analyst)
  • Michel Klüger (Software Engineer)
  • Sebastian Kunde (Data Analyst)
  • Cyrille Szymanski (Senior Strategy Manager)

Two-Tired Pensioners (831 km)

• • Francesco Cirone (Project Manager)
  • Vanessa Döringer (Visual Communications Manager)
  • Veronika Madzinova (Product Designer)
  • Avraam Symeonidis (Database Content Lead)

Vélos Chics (514 km)

• • Margaux Cepeda (Account Manager)
  • Esther Pfund (Sales Lead)
  • Teodora Stefan (Account Manager)
  • Jacomina Van der Merwe (Project Manager)

Why did you choose to participate in the challenge?

Veronika Madzinova: Try something new. Force myself to bike more.

Cyrille Szymanski: I feel aligned with the values of the challenge—small actions that have big impacts. I thought that this was a very good way to trigger change, and have fun doing so!

António Silva: To be honest, I already bike to work daily all year, but with the challenge, I get the chance to win prizes!

Nick Van Berckelaer: I just love biking to work!

Armin Agic: I chose to participate in the challenge to raise awareness about how even one person can make a meaningful impact in reducing CO₂ emissions.

Francesco Cirone: I think it’s important to exercise and I like to bike.

Demetrio Carrara: For the environment! and the competition between teams.

Will you keep cycling now that the challenge is over?

Nick Van Berckelaer: For sure, never stop.

António Silva: As long as I live close enough to the office 🙂

Jacomina Van der Merwe: Definitely! We are delaying our decision to buy a car so cycling and public transport will remain our main modes of transport.

Teodora Stefan: Sure, biking gets my energy up in the morning on the way to work and clears my head in the afternoon on the way home.

What was your favorite part of the challenge in 2025?

Vanessa Döringer: I loved the bike to work app. It’s really motivating to see your own and your teammates’ development. I also saved a lot of money by taking the bike instead of public transport. I did the calculations… I saved 166 Swiss francs in only two months 😉

Carl Vadenbo: More teams, team members, and km gathered, showing that the ecoinvent team “walk the walk” on this.

Paul Beckert: That Avraam asks me frequently to bike with him to work (although he never bikes to work :P)

Sebastian Kunde: The moment I win a prize.

Margaux Cepeda: Seeing the scores of every team member.

Share any additional insights on your Bike to Work experience here.

Mattia Clementi: I managed to convince a fellow to start biking, and now he also loves it.

Vanessa Döringer: I’ve fallen in love with Zurich all over again, because cycling through the city by the lake on a sunny morning is simply awesome!

Olivia Karleela: We had quite a lot of rain in Zürich in May, and very hot days in June. Without the challenge, I would have taken the bus on many days instead of cycling.

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