One of the changes needed to tackle Climate Change was to make cycling more popular.  This pandemic has given a shot in the arm to moves in that direction (mostly because packed public transport is not a good idea given how this coronavirus spreads)

. It even claims that Amsterdam has seen an increase (I always liked the Dutch attitude to cycling)

The BBC has a detailed write up on How pandemic sparked European cycling revolution https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54353914.

 It even claims that Amsterdam has seen an increase.  I always liked the Dutch attitude to cycling.  I live so close to our village centre that I just walk now, but back in the day I used to cycle into central London (on back streets to be a little safer).

EdwinSM-Sorry-second hand car deals are going up-it is true that bicycle-shops are doing very good bussiness these months-the infrastructure is becoming more and more a problem. Congestion on cycle paths is a problem in most cities. For politics often "traffic" means "cars" not bicycles. 

[url]https://www.snelfietsroutesgelderland.nl/arnhemnijmegencycling[/url] or https://www.snelfietsroutesgelderland.nl/arnhemnijmegencycling - https://www.snelfietsroutesgelderland.nl/arnhemnijmegencycling there are great plans in this region to increase the use of bikes. In practice on the local level politics choose for cars-not bikes. 

Most hospitals in this region are not very easy to reach by bike-you have to have a very good condition. Also parking a bike often is "chaotic". 

Airquality is another problem-in inner cities air quality in NL is below European norms. Our "liberal conservative government" gives much room to Shell, tobacco, big pharma. (With the [url]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Party_for_Freedom_and_Democracy[/url] or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Party_for_Freedom_and_Democracy - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Party_for_Freedom_and_Democracy not being open on how it gets funded, a lot of scandals on integrity (to being corrupt) being a very serious problem. DJ-In my opinion this-largest-Dutch political party is a white wash criminal organization-in part funded by tax fraud.) 

Fortunately there is also enough open space between (parts of) cities-Germany's cycling infrastructure is most worse than that of NL, but Denmark-Kopenhagen-may be better by now.

Cycling in the states is definitely on the uptick.  There were news reports months ago that it was impossible to get a new bike and refurbished bikes were becoming rarer than hen's teeth.  I still see more cars on the road here, but the sight of someone cycling around town has increased tremendously.

But then... I read about car loan defaults being at unprecedented rates since the middle of 2017...

I ride everywhere on a fixie with a front brake. I keep it simple.

I'm fit by just getting about.

Just watch out for idiot drivers. There's a few psychos out there. I ride mainly on the back streets.

Oh, I’m so envious of people who can bike everywhere for their errands! I live in an area of the Southwestern United States that has temperatures in the 100s from April-September (October this year).  I can still bike a little early in the morning, but can’t handle it once it gets too hot.  

BeachMama wrote: Oh, I’m so envious of people who can bike everywhere for their errands! I live in an area of the Southwestern United States that has temperatures in the 100s from April-September (October this year).  I can still bike a little early in the morning, but can’t handle it once it gets too hot.

I know what you mean,

Have you thought about an e_bike, you have some really good ones over there,i tried to buy one from the US but the company doesn't ship here,

Did have one for a few years,was great fun, got stolen though,ive been waiting for new technologies before I get another.

As I say you got some good ones over there....

Well worth a look....

Keep safe all

When young I cycled everywhere.  I had a touring bike*, no longer made, that I loved.  I used to overtake motor vehicles!

While I was waiting for a hip replacement the tendons in my leg shortened through disuse.  Now I can't ride a bike anymore, I literally can't raise my leg enough to turn the pedals.   The tendons are stretching a bit, but at this rate, I may be able to ride again when I'm in my mid 100s.  

I am so jealous!

* Like a racing bike, but a bit more comfortable; wider saddle, drop handlebars - but padded ones, duralier gears.  

I too want to echo what Carbon wrote....look into getting an e-bike.  It can give you some exercise, get you out into the great out-of-doors, and take a lot of the strain in the heat of the day, and can be recharged for free if you have solar panels.

Off that topic, last night's TV news had a section on a programme that teaches immigrants to ride bikes, it included a clip of one woman's first ride   This is a good way to help integrate people, and it is especially helpful for the ladies giving them more freedom to move around.

There are lots of new designs in bikes [url]https://www.vanraam.com/en-gb/our-bikes/side-by-side-tandems[/url] or https://www.vanraam.com/en-gb/our-bikes/side-by-side-tandems - https://www.vanraam.com/en-gb/our-bikes/side-by-side-tandems most likely there are also bikes with sun-protection for warmer countries...(or products to use with such a bike ....[url]https://www.trendx.nl/products/ventilatorpet-op-zonne-energie-zwart?variant=21679142338673&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjwzvX7BRAeEiwAsXExow0ZMQYG-miq8s1dzCe6RZ6-8R8lRPvWH4CnZgnB8IJuqz_DbfheOxoCf70QAvD_BwE[/url] or https://www.trendx.nl/products/ventilatorpet-op-zonne-energie-zwart?variant=21679142338673&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjwzvX7BRAeEiwAsXExow0ZMQYG-miq8s1dzCe6RZ6-8R8lRPvWH4CnZgnB8IJuqz_DbfheOxoCf70QAvD_BwE - https://www.trendx.nl/products/ventilatorpet-op-zonne-energie-zwart?variant=21679142338673&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjwzvX7BRAeEiwAsXExow0ZMQYG-miq8s1dzCe6RZ6-8R8lRPvWH4CnZgnB8IJuqz_DbfheOxoCf70QAvD_BwE  

caps with solar-power ventilators, but you also have clothing that cool the body to prevent heat-exhaustion.)

[url]https://www.vanraam.com/en-gb/advice-inspiration/news/tips-for-cycling-in-the-heat[/url] or  https://www.vanraam.com/en-gb/advice-inspiration/news/tips-for-cycling-in-the-heat - https://www.vanraam.com/en-gb/advice-inspiration/news/tips-for-cycling-in-the-heat

I ride in any weather apart from pouring rain. Even on a rainy day i wait for a spell in the weather and use mudguards.

Below freezing is okay. Just dress appropriately. Anything over 40c is sweaty.

Advice. In the cold, layer up and strip off as you go and don't get sweaty. This is a huge tip. 

Get out there.  Your almost never too old

My dad is 76, he has parkinsons and still rides

  LOL, solar charging that E-bike would not be a problem around here! Maybe they come with little fans... 

BeachMama wrote:   LOL, solar charging that E-bike would not be a problem around here! Maybe they come with little fans...

Anything  is possible.....lol

When it's 45c you need aircon.....

Whenever we get overseas visitors  I get them to put their hands out of car window when it's 40c+ ,hot hot wind......amazing 

People from colder climates just don't understand the difficulty dealing with the heat.

We had 46 degrees last year. My car showed 50 degrees. It was that hot that the bitumen melted.

DJ-Just did see a DW video on the [url]https://www.lopifit.nl/en/what-is-a-lopifit/[/url] or https://www.lopifit.nl/en/what-is-a-lopifit/ - https://www.lopifit.nl/en/what-is-a-lopifit/ ..interesting [url]https://www.dw.com/en/lopifit-a-treadmill-on-wheels/a-19284199[/url] or https://www.dw.com/en/lopifit-a-treadmill-on-wheels/a-19284199 - https://www.dw.com/en/lopifit-a-treadmill-on-wheels/a-19284199  

DJ-Maybe there were some safety aspects ? 

I would get back on a bike, but I've had too many cycling related injuries of late (two fully separated shoulders, concussions, a patch on my left arm that never tans after being scraped almost to the bone quite a few times, and a neck injury that still keeps me awake after twenty years). Between potholes and inconsiderate drivers crowding me and opening car doors without looking, it's just too dangerous. Too many trips to the ER with my bike next to me in the ambulance.

I've done cycle touring, time trials, and once did Lands End to John O'Groats in twelve days. Here in the US, I used to commute to work 18 miles each way, but I haven't been on a bike in a couple of years. It doesn't help that we're experiencing a crazy crime spree in San Diego right now that's seeing multiple high end bikes being stolen every day - in some cases from second and third story balconies, cars and garages.

There's a huge number of bicycle thefts here in NYC too.  

I'm on a Facebook page for stolen bikes in San Diego, and someone posted about the rise in thefts in NYC. The problem here is that law enforcement have made it clear that it's not a priority, and the people that are stealing them have realized that. Consequently, there are sidewalk chop shops operating all over town in full view with no fear of consequences. This picture was taken a few days ago by a member on the side of the road, and the guy in gray saw him and gave chase.

It's the same situation here with law enforcement. Even the Citi cycles are being jacked and stolen.  I've read reports in the neighborhood that garages and sheds are being broken into and bikes stolen.  Neighbors of mine have taken to carrying theirs' and the kids bikes indoors when not in use.  

Garages are being targeted here too. Car windows are being smashed as well. Whoever is doing it has skills and can get past any lock. The only safe place for your bike is inside the house. A lot of people are finding that the bikes they left up on second and third story balconies have gone, and they now have a ladder instead. It happened last week a block from here, and again a  few days later. My son's bike was taken from our balcony outside the bedroom window during the lockdown, and we had a u-lock, and a thick cable with a good padlock.