The streets of New York were filled with cyclists: what is the cause of the cycling

The streets of New York were filled with cyclists. If this trend consolidates, then in the summer you can wait for a real bicycle boom. The publication shares the details "Voice of America" in your video.

New trend

New York Avenues are gradually turning into bike lanes: the warmer it is in the street, the more it is on bicycle roads. Especially noticeable is a new trend in Manhattan, where today you rarely see car owners.

New Yorkers often use a bicycle as a means of transportation. However, this summer, demand for bicycles is expected to grow many times over. After all, a ride in Manhattan with a breeze is a much more attractive prospect than a trip in a stuffy subway or on a bus.

Those who do not have a bike can rent it. There are no parking problems for such a vehicle in New York. Also in the city there are enough workshops for repairing bicycles, where today there is an influx of customers.

Repair shop manager Hugo Consma says the business has picked up noticeably in the past few weeks. “We see more new faces, we also work in different workshops: people move around the city more (on bicycles - Ed.),” He said. This is because cyclists do not have to stand in traffic jams or take the subway, Hugo said. “They don't need to be very close to someone,” he added, explaining the rise in popularity of the bicycle as a means of transportation.

The subway is empty

Metro is the most popular transportation method for New Yorkers. However, with the outbreak of the epidemic, the subway was empty: people stopped riding the subway even though wagons and platforms were more often disinfected and there were no familiar crowds. Even at a station in Manhattan today is deserted.

For those who continue to use the subway, posters are hung at the stations urging them to keep their distance. But there is almost no one to keep their distance from here, because most New Yorkers try to be outdoors - there they feel more confident.

What do the townspeople say

“I feel a little calmer now,” said Kathleen, a resident of the Big Apple. "But I try to be careful anyway, because things can get complicated."

Another resident of the city, Noah, says he tries to walk more. “I have not been using the subway for a long time, I am walking around the area. Thirty blocks have now passed, starting from 91st Street, ”he said.

A girl named Emma said that she had not used the subway since March 13, when quarantine was introduced. In the near future, she plans to adhere to the same rule: no buses and metro.

Who picks a bike

More often, not only those who do not want to use public transport began to use a bicycle. Taxi users also refuse to travel, because they feel uncomfortable in their cabins.

On the subject: The best pedestrian neighborhoods in every borough in New York

“As soon as the number of infections increased in New York, we saw a peak in demand, the bikes were going well,” said Fred Hidalgo of Liberty Cycles. - Then for about two or three weeks - a lull. We haven't sold anything. It looks like everyone was scared for a while and just stayed home. By the end of April, the business was picking up again. ”

According to Hidalgo, the point is not only that cycling is much safer than taking the subway. But the fact that the gyms were closed, so for many bike rides - the ability to stay in shape.

In addition, joint cycling is also an opportunity to spend time in the company of friends.

The Fancy Apple store also noticed an increased interest in bicycles, especially among hospital workers. “We have a lot of nurses among our clients,” said Farida, a bicycle shop employee. "They often use their bicycles to get to work." He also said that they are giving discounts to health workers.

If this trend consolidates, then this summer the city may have to deal with a real bicycle boom that New York has not seen before.