Inspiration for setting off on a renewable journey was served up in buckets at Geneva’s International Environment House on 7 December.

Claude Marthaler is an athlete and author who in 1994 began a round-the-world cycle trip spanning 60 countries over seven years.

During the event organised by the Geneva Environment Network, Claude narrated a slide show of his adventure, the rich variety of people he met, landscapes seen and challenges overcome, before opening a wider discussion. He also presented his latest book - À tire d’elles - on how cycling has been a catalyst for women’s rights worldwide.

Every month, Claude hosts a ‘Café des Voyageurs’ meet-up between adventure cyclists through the PRO VELO association in Geneva. He now intends to produce a series of short films on the uses of bikes as a working instrument around the world, for example to power small-scale cinema screenings.

More for information, including on the numerous books Claude has authored, please click here or write to diana.rizzolio@unep.org