Bogotá, Colombia is preparing for the coronavirus pandemic by making space for people on bikes in the public realm, calling bikes a hygienic option for mobility.
"The Colombian capital of Bogotá is opening 76km (47 miles) of temporary bike lanes to reduce crowding on public transport and help prevent the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19), as well as to improve air quality," reports Sarah Wray.
"22km (13 miles) of the new lanes were converted overnight to open on 17 March by reconfiguring car lanes," according to Wray.
Bogotá Mayor Claudia López released a statement justifying the changes as a benefit to public health during the first stages of pandemic response: "The bicycle, being an individual means of transport, represents one of the most hygienic alternatives for the prevention of the virus, especially in this first preventive stage in which it is recommended to avoid close contact and crowds." [translated]
Meanwhile, in New York City, bike injuries are increasing as bike riding has surged in response to the pandemic. "Cyclist injuries were up 43 percent between March 9 and March 15, according to NYPD statistics, an increase that comes after Mayor de Blasio urged people to bike to work yet did not build any new protected infrastructure to handle the surge of new riders," writes Julianne Cuba.
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