The Pandemic Bike Boom Survives—in Cities That Stepped Up

Eric had been working in bikes for 18 years. People were desperate for something to do with no end to the Pandemic in sight. "They had time on their hands, they had kids, and they needed to physically go outside and do something."

The bicycle boom started. According to the research firm, US bike sales more than doubled in 2020. People dragged bikes out of the garage and basement. Local governments responded to the shift by adapting urban environments with unprecedented speed, limiting car traffic on some streets and building temporary bike lanes. "Many things were possible, policy-wise, that before we didn't think possible, especially at that pace."

The aftermath of the bike boom and changes to urban infrastructure is not clear. It has been difficult to convert people to cycling for trips like going to school, or going to the grocery store. The value of bike sales dropped by 11 percent this year compared to the previous year, but they are still above the previous year levels.

Observers say some air has gone out of the tires because of the hard to find data on the fast-turnaround transportation projects. It takes more than a few changes to get away from car-centered thinking.

Patrick Hogan, the group's research manager, said that most of the 200 US cities that made changes during the Pandemic have gone back. Many people still don't see cycling as an easy or safe way to get around despite the fact that people riding for recreation rather than utility are more likely to have stuck with bike habits.

According to a survey conducted by researchers at Arizona State University before and after the Pandemic, the share of people cycling hasn't changed. Life gets in the way when people are optimistic about becoming better versions of themselves.

According to Deborah Salon, a professor of urban planning at Arizona State University who worked on the survey, people were enthusiastic and said they expected to walk and bike more because they were enjoying it. There is no evidence that that actually happened.

It's not good news for cities and their residents. The benefits of cycling include getting people up and moving, which is good for both physical and mental health. People might be happier if they were out of cars and on bikes.