COVID-19 Impacts on Cycling, 2019–2020
Source: Transport Reviews
Cycling increased considerably from 2019 to 2020 in most cities of Europe, North America, and Australia. The percentage increase is even larger when periods of total lockdowns are excluded. Moreover, the bicycle share of trips has risen in virtually all cities because total travel (all modes) fell sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are at least five reasons to believe that the increase in cycling during the COVID-19 pandemic will persist over the coming years: (1) The expansion and improvement of protected cycling infrastructure will ensure better cycling conditions in future years; 2) The large growth in bicycle sales has increased the availability of bicycles; 3) Many new cyclists will probably continue to cycle in coming years; 4) As daily trips to work, school, university, shopping, restaurants, and entertainment rebound after COVID-19, many of the utilitarian cycling trips lost during the pandemic will probably be regained; 5) Some of the public transport riders who shifted to cycling during the pandemic will probably continue to ride bikes, especially with improved cycling facilities and greater availability of bicycles noted previously.
