Bike Sharing in the Time of the Coronavirus
By now, many of us have started settling into Work From Home (WFH) mode, and have started using terminology like “social distancing” or “shelter in place”. But what about the people who still need to venture outside to get to work or need to run an essential errand? For many in crowded cities, where most of the population rely on public transportation, buses and subways are no longer ideal modes of transportation for those who want to limit their exposure to the coronavirus.
Enter bike sharing. 🎥
It’s a skill most of us learn at an early age (full disclosure, I was a late bloomer and didn’t learn how to ride a two-wheeler until the age of 12); a skill that likely conjures fond memories of childhood and freedom. And while in adulthood, there are those who still ride bikes for workout, recreation or for commuting purposes — for most, climbing onto a bike is probably not as commonplace — however it could be the answer you are looking for.
Bike Riding Benefits
- Gets you from point A to point B without being too close to others. Practice that social distancing!
2. Gets you outside for some fresh air which is probably a welcome change to the four walls of your apartment.
3. Exercise! Studies show that exercise helps to reduce stress and let’s be honest here, everyone has some stress to varying degrees regardless of what’s going on. It also goes without saying that exercise is proven to improve overall physical and mental health which both have a hand in strengthening the immune system. #FightTheVirus
What if I Don’t Own a Bike
Luckily for many cities, bike sharing has become increasingly widespread and available. Accessibility ranges from day passes to yearly memberships and in many metropolises, you can easily find a bike dock every few blocks. Many bike shares have apps you can download to find a nearby dock. You can even see how many bicycles or empty docks there are available.
But Wait, Bike Sharing Equals Germ Sharing?
Hopefully, those who are ill are staying home but sure, it’s possible that someone who is unaware and asymptomatic rode that bike before you. But just as they could have touched that grocery shopping cart before you or the box of cereal at the store, you can still take precautions to minimize your risk.
- Wipe down the bike at major touchpoints, starting with the handlebars.
2. Follow what the experts are saying and don’t touch your face!
3. If you have access to soap and water, wash your hands afterward or break out that trusty hand sanitizer. It’s made for situations like this!
Others Agree
A lot of people are already opting to cycle. Citi Bike in NYC reported that they saw over a 65% increase during the first two weeks of March alone compared to last year. Divvy in Chicago saw a jump of over 50% during that same time period. Many other cities are reporting the same findings and with this year’s unseasonably warm weather, there’s no reason not to take advantage.
So maybe it’s time to dust off that old bicycle sitting in storage or if you don’t have one, consider signing up for your local bike share*. Even if you haven’t ridden in years and your skills are somewhat on the rusty side, you know what they say — it’s like riding a bicycle.
*Bike Shares are up and available on the LEON app. Please check to see if your local bike share is available. If not, have no fear, we’re probably working on it!
Download the LEON app today.
In good health,
Team LEON
This blog was written by Jocelyn Tsai, our operations head honcho.
