The bicycles are back on the streets of Europe as the countries prepare to emerge from lockdown. The municipalities from Berlin to Milan are looking to Bikes to get city dwellers moving again without inflaming the epidemic.
Cycling is ecologically friendly and compatible with social distancing, that is why pedal power is gaining popularity. Actually, the bike symbolizes independence from the traditional public transport and restrictions amid lockdown. In other words, the bicycle has fresh appeal because it can help the population get back to work without forcing everyone onto crowded buses and trains, where the virus would be more likely to spread.
The social distancing remains especially important at a time when apprehension over taking public transport is likely to persist well beyond the end of the lockdown. The bike is the only answer so far, agreed the authorities in Germany, one of the more car-centric nations in Europe. Despite the country has the perfect network of Autobahn highways, coronacrisis made to upgrade bike infrastructure as well. In Berlin, authorities have already added several miles of pop-up lanes to encourage social distancing.
Meanwhile, the French ecology ministry asked a group that promotes the use of bikes to help local officials coordinate the creation of temporary cycling paths. As Bloomberg reports, Milan plans to open up more streets for cycling and walking.
Bike-sharing option helps people to be active despite the virus outbreak
France is known for its proliferation of bike-sharing options and a years-long effort to build cycling lanes across cities. “At this stage, we are talking about temporary bike lanes, set up by local authorities,” said the ecology ministry’s spokesman.
As a response to coronacrisis, Milan municipality will make 35 kilometres of city streets more accessible to bikers and walkers in the coming months. Thus, the city will become safer and easier for commuters to avoid public transport. The traffic jams should decrease significantly as well.
In Germany, the local environmental lobby has asked authorities in more than 200 German cities to bolster bike paths to unclog buses and subways.
“Bikers need safe infrastructure in the coming months,” the group said in a statement. “It allows for a safe journey to the office with sufficient distance and fresh air, and helps doctors and hospitals by avoiding unnecessary accidents.”
