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Coronavirus has caused a bicycling boom in New York City

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From: https://grist.org/climate/coronavirus-has-caused-a-bicycling-boom-in-new-york-city/

Quote:

If there’s a silver lining to the COVID-19 pandemic — and let’s be real: we could all really use a win right now — it’s that there’s probably never been a better time to ride a bike in the Big Apple.

On Sunday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled a new set of guidelines for citizens hoping to help contain the burgeoning outbreak. They included working from home, if possible, avoiding subways during rush hour (a breeding ground for respiratory viruses), and walking or biking to work if possible to avoid crowding on public transportation.

At first, it was uncertain whether New Yorkers who aren’t used to cycling on the city’s inconsistent network of bike lanes —which are frequently clogged by parked or idling cars and trucks — would take the mayor’s advice. De Blasio himself admitted he felt like he would need to brush up on his cycling skills before trying to navigate the city on two wheels, prompting some cycling advocates to ask why the mayor isn’t trying more urgently to build bike lanes that are smooth and protected enough to accommodate even inexperienced cyclists.

Now, less than a week later, it’s clear that inexperience and physical impediments weren’t enough to keep New Yorkers from adopting a more hygienic, climate-friendly, people-powered form of transportation. The city’s Department of Transportation announced on Wednesday that it’s seen a 50 percent increase in bike traffic on bridges connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn and Queens compared to last March. New York City’s bike share program, Citi Bike, has also seen an enormous upswing in demand. Citi Bike announced on Thursday that rides are up 67 percent compared to a year ago.

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BBB | 4 years ago
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NYPD will be even busier now ramming, tasing and ticketing...

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ktache | 4 years ago
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Great that cycling in general has gone up, public transport can be a spreader.

But aren't the handlebar grips on the City Bikes as likely to transmit the virus as lift buttons, handrails on escalators and grab-handles on tube trains.

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hawkinspeter replied to ktache | 4 years ago
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ktache wrote:

Great that cycling in general has gone up, public transport can be a spreader.

But aren't the handlebar grips on the City Bikes as likely to transmit the virus as lift buttons, handrails on escalators and grab-handles on tube trains.

Not if people are wearing gloves and there's likely to be less face touching whilst cycling.

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