COVID-19 and Bicycling

While we struggle to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, people in California and across the U.S. are discovering or rediscovering the joy of bicycling. On streets with much less car traffic than usual, we take the lane for healthy exercise that keeps us at a safe physical distance. We breathe clean air, maybe for the first time in our lives. During COVID-19 bicycling has increased in popularity. We put together some COVID-19 bicycling resources to help you get rolling.

When our towns and cities reopen after the virus passes, our society and culture will not be the same. 

As we take a time out from relying so much on outdated, climate-killing car travel, we have an opportunity for real change. We can pivot from the way things have been to the way we want them to be. We can make our communities truly bikeable and more equitable places that foster prosperity, health, and joy for all.

CalBike is working to create more safe space for biking and walking—during the pandemic and for the long term. Here are some of the steps you can take with us right now.

FAQs on COVID-19 Bicycling

Answers—and graphics to share—to some of your questions about whether to bike, and how to bike safely during a pandemic.

Bicycling for Beginners

New to Bicycling? Have a friend who’s just getting started? Check out these online classes and resources to help get started. We’ve chosen just the best to help you get started safely. 

Tips and Tricks for Happy Biking

Even more seasoned riders can get discouraged from biking by unpleasant experiences on the road. Fortunately, there are lots of things that even experienced bicyclists can do to improve the ride. We’ve compiled a set of resources to help you enjoy biking in and out of a pandemic.

How to Create Slow Streets

Slow Streets provide space for people to walk and bike near home, with reduced and slowed car traffic. Oakland led the way in California and many cities are following suit. We created a guide, based on Oakland’s experience, to help you bring Slow Streets to your community.

Bike Match

Do you have a bike you no longer ride, that you can share with an essential worker or someone down on their luck from our current crisis? Or do you need a free bike because your other modes of transportation aren’t working for you? Get hooked up through Bike Match!

Bicycle Advocacy in Your Community

Find your local coalition, join, and get involved! Working with your local coalition is the best way to make an impact “on the ground” where you live. NOW is the time to push for emergency bike lanes in your community.

Waving Wednesdays

Are you on a bike? Is today Wednesday? Then it’s time to wave!