Pandemic Cycling describes the global surge in bicycle sales and ridership during COVID-19 lockdowns (2020-2021), driven by:
- Transportation: Avoiding public transit infection risk
- Exercise: Outdoor activity when gyms closed
- Family activity: Socially distanced recreation
- Exploration: Discovering local neighborhoods during lockdowns
U.S. bike sales increased 65% in 2020 vs 2019 (NPD Group), with inventory shortages lasting into 2022.
The Bike Shortage
Unprecedented demand met supply chain collapse:
- Entry-level bikes ($300-800) sold out immediately
- Mid-range road/mountain bikes backordered 6-18 months
- Used bikes selling at near-retail prices (Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace)
- E-bikes surging (40%+ sales increases)
- Bike shops couldn’t hire mechanics fast enough
Parents desperately seeking kids’ bikes became 2020 meme.
Infrastructure & Policy Response
Cities seized opportunity:
- Emergency bike lanes installed (Paris, Oakland, NYC expanded networks)
- “Slow streets” closing roads to cars (Oakland: 74 miles of slow streets)
- Outdoor dining replacing parking spaces
- Bike share programs expanding (Citi Bike, Divvy, Bay Wheels ridership surged)
Some temporary measures became permanent, accelerating urban cycling infrastructure decades.
Who Started Cycling
Diverse new cyclists:
- Commuters: Avoiding buses/subways, biking to essential jobs
- Families: Parents teaching kids to ride, family bike outings
- Fitness converts: Runners/gym-goers seeking variety
- Older adults: Low-impact exercise, e-bikes enabling longer rides
The demographic widened beyond typical “serious cyclist” profile.
Indoor Cycling (Peloton Explosion)
Simultaneously, indoor cycling boomed:
- Peloton sales increased 172% in 2020
- Peloton stock surged 440% (2020 peak)
- Competitors (Echelon, NordicTrack, Schwinn IC4) sold out
- DIY Peloton setups (cheap bike + $12.99/month Peloton app) proliferated
The indoor/outdoor cycling boom ran parallel—outdoor for transportation/exploration, indoor for structured workouts.
Long-Term Sustainability (2021-2023)
Mixed post-pandemic outcomes:
- Sustained: Many continued cycling for commuting, recreation; “new normal”
- Abandoned: Bikes collecting dust in garages as life resumed
- Resale glut: Facebook Marketplace flooded with pandemic bikes (2022-2023)
- Infrastructure persisted: Emergency bike lanes mostly kept, emboldening further expansion
The pandemic demonstrated latent demand for cycling—given safe infrastructure, millions will ride.
Sources:
- NPD Group bike sales data (2020-2021)
- Peloton sales and stock data (2020-2021)
- Cities’ emergency bike lane reports (Paris, NYC, Oakland)
- Bicycling Magazine, “The 2020 Bike Boom” (2020)