Hyperdrive
Bicycles Are Pushing Aside Cars on Europe’s City Streets
- Green consumer trend dovetails with contagion concerns
- Pandemic has spurred 930 miles of new bike lanes in Europe
This article is for subscribers only.
Bikes are increasingly muscling aside cars on Europe’s city streets, as the coronavirus accelerates a shift toward pedal power.
Even before the pandemic, bicycles were enjoying an uptick in demand from environmentally conscious consumers, but the risk of contagion on buses and subways have increased the appeal. The emergence of e-bikes, which boost power with an electric motor, has removed some of the sweat factor, making biking a viable option for more consumers after lockdowns lifted.