The UCI Cycling World Championships get underway in Glasgow today.

This will be the biggest cycling event ever, with rainbow jerseys on offer to world champions across 13 disciplines, from the familiar road and track racing to the more expressive freestyle BMX and cycle-ball.

Glasgow is the host city for this new event, with some competitions taking place in other parts of Scotland, between August 3-13.

That the city has been chosen is a testament to its track record in hosting major events, and specifically to the investment which has been made in world-class cycling facilities, including the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Knightswood BMX Centre.

We should be proud of Glasgow’s ability to deliver events like this, which showcase the city internationally, as well as inspire positive local action.

The idea of legacy is evident in the motto for the championships, which is ‘The Power of the Bike’.

There are indeed many positive benefits of cycling, but its greatest power – its superpower, you might say – is fighting against climate change.

Switching local journeys to cycling, as well as walking and wheeling, instead of using private cars, is one of the simplest, cheapest and most effective ways we can reduce transport emissions, which remain stubbornly high in Glasgow.

Glasgow has committed to delivering a comprehensive city-wide cycling network by 2030, which will make Glasgow a much safer and easier place to ride a bike. We know that the lack of safe, segregated infrastructure is the biggest barrier to getting more people cycling, more often.

The flagship South City Way, which is now complete all the way from the Broomielaw to Queens Park, is seeing thousands of people use it every week. A cycle counter on Victoria Road has already recorded almost 150,000 journeys this year. There is truth in the saying ‘build it and they will come’.

Delivering a city-wide network is a big task, but it’s time to ditch adjectives such as ‘bold’ and ‘ambitious’ and instead use descriptors like ‘urgent’ and ‘necessary’. The climate emergency demands that we make this change.

So far this summer we have seen the hottest day and hottest June on record, alarming marine heatwaves, and record-low Antarctic sea ice. These are unprecedented climate anomalies.

Thousands will enjoy the skill, power and competitive spirit on display over the next fortnight. But for the climate’s sake, I hope many are also inspired to give cycling a go.

The city’s bike hire scheme means people who don’t own a bike can still use one to get around. There are groups across the city that can provide lessons, refresher courses, or confidence-building group rides. I was a late learner and didn’t ride regularly until I moved to Glasgow – it’s now my favourite way to get around. Journey-time reliability is a big draw for me, over either driving or public transport.

Green councillors are determined to make Glasgow one of the most cycle-friendly cities on the planet because the future of the planet is at stake.

There really is no better or more important time to embrace the true power of the bike.