Bicycle retailers around the country have been overwhelmed with demand since coronavirus restrictions came into force and there doesn’t appear to be a let up in sight.

Whilst some bike shops may have been concerned restrictions might impact the industry in a negative fashion, it turns out the reverse has proven to be true. First essential workers unwilling to risk catching public transport for fear of falling ill turned to bicycles and demand has only continued as restrictions have eased.

“We’re the new toilet paper and everyone wants a piece,” Grant Kaplan, manager of the Giant Sydney bike store in Sydney’s CBD, told Guardian Australia.

“We can’t keep up with sales. Literally the phone is ringing nonstop.”

Australia’s peak representative body for cyclists, Bicycle Network, has called on governments to transform roads into cycleways to ease traffic on bike paths. They are looking to see other jurisdictions follow the example of recent plans outlined by the City of Sydney Council and the NSW state government. 

The rise in bicycle sales isn’t just people going click crazy with online shopping either, with Bicycling Australia releasing data showing Australians are “jumping on their bikes like never before”. The data revealed an increase in cycle traffic in Perth, Melbourne and Adelaide.

 

Positive Action

• Jump on your bike and ride! As coronavirus restrictions ease, we can all do our bit to reduce pressure on public transport by cycling or walking wherever possible. Plus, it’s good for the planet!
• For advice on cycling in Australia during the coronavirus, check out the advice from the Bicycle Network.

 

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Positive Environment News has been compiled using publicly available information. Planet Ark does not take responsibility for the accuracy of the original information and encourages readers to check the references before using this information for their own purposes.