Bikes Everywhere
 

Over the last month or so, I'm suddenly seeing bikes everywhere. I can only hope that as people rediscover how much fun and engaging it is to ride a bike as well as how useful bikes are for quick trips around town, that bike use will continue, if and when we get back to something approaching normal.

Yes for sure, I've seen a visible increase where I live as well. It's also been reported / highlighted how bike trips have become an alternative to public transpo in urban centers, amidst concerns of contagion. Some cities (mostly European I think) have even altered traffic patterns to encourage and accommodate more biking. Like you, I hope the increase sticks for all the reasons you note.

Probably one of the few good things that may come out of this virus thing.

With an increase of cyclist this summer, some of the more popular routes have been prioritized for bike and foot traffic.
I definitely see more bikes than cars on these temporary designated routes.


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There is a pleasant, four lane highway along the river here in Philly that is normally closed to cars between 7 and 5 on weekends April through October. Months ago the city shut it to cars 24/7. It now gets more bike and ped use than before.

As much as bicycling is popular & is good to use for short commuting, the practicality of securing the bicycle is cumbersome. At least for out of sight safety, i wouldn't leave my bicycle in such a vulnerable state.

The FL summer heat has put a damper on some of the Covid cycling crowd. I'll be interested to see if they come back out in force when fall gets here.

I’ve been locking bikes on the streets of Philadelphia for decades. Most I ever lost was a QR seat post mechanism and a saddle bag that I forgot to bring in the office with me. Use a good lock and cable, park in high foot traffic areas and don’t leave it out over night.

The only place I had a bike stolen was from inside my house, while I was home and awake.

Here in south-coastal Delaware, a beach resort area, there are significantly fewer visitors this year, due to the CV-19 crisis,. Traffic backups have been very few and short. I am seeing very low numbers of bicyclists, runners, and walkers. Restaurants are still under restrictions and many businesses are really suffering. Groceries stores are very busy and many items are gone soon after they arrive, some items having been out for a while now. Bike shops were extremely busy and sold out of most bikes and a lot of other items. I have not been in one for the past month or so, but I am guessing they are still busy with repairs.

I sure like the low volume of traffic in all respects. I feel for those that are having a hard time keeping their businesses functioning, or are out of work completely. It is going to be a hard off season for many.

Funny. A work colleague and I were just discussing that very road last night on the phone; he's gone to much more road biking over running since he can get out of town on it without traffic and crowded MUPs.

Stolen out of my living area & from the bicycle parking area. Location, Location, Location.

I haven't really seen an increase here. In the first few weeks of working from home there was a small number of folks who had obviously brushed the dust off an old bike in the garage and taken it out for a spin. But it doesn't seem like most of those folks ever took a second ride. We quickly went back to the normal number of regular riders.

they might all found out that rubber dry rots.

I've seen a few more bikes about this year, especially in our local neighborhood. But I've really done A LOT more bike repairs for family, friends and coworkers the past few months. They get a great deal and I enjoy doing it.

Fernandina Beach Florida

It's been so damn hot the last few weeks down here in North FL that you got to get out and start riding by 8:00AM. By noon it's so hot you're vulnerable to pass out and suffer from heat stroke. But, there's at least double or triple the number of bicyclist out and about than usual. .................(And, the bike shops & retail outlets are all sold out of bikes too).

My vintage bike sales have been doing well the last few months. I've sold 5 completely refurbished vintage bikes and, 4 bikes that I did light maintenance & repair on over the last four months. Now, I'm running out of bikes to sell. So, I'm hunting for more. But, it's not that easy to find the kind of bikes I like. Oh well. Be good. Have fun.

Me and my missus go by bike everywhere including shops lol.

It's been endless fun i wish i bought a bike years ago.

Been in Jeff Parish ('rona capital of LA) for quite some time now helping my 95 yr old dad. No increase in cycling at all. But WSJ did have an article yesterday about adults having to learn how to cycle at that age.

scott s.
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Our local council in Melbourne installed a daily counter recently, I'm guessing to urge people on! Bikes everywhere indeed!

You don't think somewhere like Philly is a bike thief's wet dream?

One afternoon I locked my LHT with close to $450 worth of racks on it outside an indoor farm market. Used my Krytptonite and thick cable. As I was doing so, a young woman right next to me was locking up her older Trek road bike with a flimsy chain and combination lock. She went inside the market. I walked to the far corner to buy a paper. As I was walking back to the market I saw some tweaker looking guy speeding away on the woman's bike. He had a small duffel bag over his shoulder, which probably contained his bolt cutters. No doubt he had been casing the place because of the numer of people who ride there and shot the fish in the barrel while leaving my ride alone. I found the woman in the market and told her what I had seen. She said "Oh well. I didn't feel like brining my good lock."

One day a security person who works in my building told me about the bike parking area in the underground garage. It's just a rack in the corner. No thanks. I know a woman who had her bike stolen from just such a place despite a sign saying their was video surveillance. (There was not.) I would much rather lock up outside the building. Hundreds of people walk buy every few minutes, in part because there is a c-store right there. And cops will occasionally stop for donuts.

Bikes in yer grocery aisles.

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Folks would have a hits sfits if someone were to do that. Someone scolded a man wearing oxygen for not having a "mask" on.

I live in a rural area, I haven't seen a single biker, walker, runner while riding myself in 3 months. I usually drive a bit to more populated areas do day longs but I've stayed local since covid.

Tons of people out riding on the paths and trails around Chicago. I've lived here for many years and I have never seen so many.

Yes there must be an increase by the simple fact that where I live (Chicagoland area) You go into a Target, Meijer, or Wal Mart and they have no bikes! None!!! Hardly any accessories either.
I took a rim a few weeks back to the LBS in Joliet. This shop has been in business for a hundred years. He has 4 bikes on the showroom floor with just empty racks everywhere including accessories.
I have seen a big increase on the trail. Huge increase of traffic to the point I avoid the trail and fortuntely I have semi rural roads if I head south to ride.
It is good there seems to be a bike boom again and everyone who has a bike on a garage hook is now out riding. This is a good thing for the bike industry...
Max Bryant