Coronavirus Leads to Bicycle Boom, Shortage, Around World
2020-06-17
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1As the coronavirus outbreak continues, many Americans are fearful of using public transportation.
2They also are looking for ways to get exercise without having to go to a gym, as well as ways to enjoy the outdoors.
3So, it may not be surprising that the pandemic has led to a major increase in bicycle sales.
4In the United States, bicycles at big stores like Walmart have sold out.
5And small bicycle stores cannot keep up with demand for "family-style" bicycles: the low-cost, easy-to-ride models.
6The bicycle industry is seeing its biggest sales increase since the oil crisis of the 1970s, said Jay Townley, an industry expert.
7"People... have panicked," Townley said.
8He compared the sale of bicycles to the rush to buy products like toilet paper at the start of the pandemic.
9The rise in bicycle sales is not happening just in the United States.
10Cities like Manila in the Philippines and Rome, Italy have created bicycle paths for the growing number of people who want to avoid public transportation.
11In London, city officials plan to bar cars from some central roads.
12Bike shop owners in Manila say demand is even stronger than what they see at Christmas time.
13In Italy, the government's economic support plan included a 500-euro payment to help with the cost of a bicycle.
14Of course, you can only buy a bicycle if you can find a bicycle.
15In the U.S., the shortages now mean it may take many months to get one.
16High demand is not the only reason for the shortage.
17The U.S. buys 90 percent of its bicycles from China.
18Bicycle factories there were shut down to stop the spread of COVID-19.
19The increase in bicycle demand began in March as countries began to close down.
20In April, the sale of bicycles for adults increased 200 percent in the United States.
21All bicycle sales, including those for children, are up 100 percent from the year before, says NPD Group.
22The research company follows the sales of bicycles.
23Before the pandemic, bicycle sales in the United States were a $6 billion industry that was expecting lower sales in 2020.
24That expectation came in part because of a decision by the administration of President Donald Trump to place high tariffs on many Chinese imported goods.
25In Bar Harbor, Maine, Brian Smith bought a new bicycle for one of his daughters.
26She is a competitive swimmer who could not get to the pool to practice.
27His family now goes for rides several times a day.
28Bicycling helps them all get exercise and enjoy the fresh air. But the biggest reason they go on rides?
29"It's fun. Maybe that's the bottom line. It's really fun to ride bikes," Smith said.
30Joe Minutolo is the co-owner of Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop in Maine.
31He said he hopes the increased sales mean a change in the way people think about transportation.
32"People are having a chance to rethink things," he said.
33"Maybe we'll all learn something out of this, and something really good will happen," he said.
34I'm Susan Shand.
1As the coronavirus outbreak continues, many Americans are fearful of using public transportation. They also are looking for ways to get exercise without having to go to a gym, as well as ways to enjoy the outdoors. 2So, it may not be surprising that the pandemic has led to a major increase in bicycle sales. 3In the United States, bicycles at big stores like Walmart have sold out. And small bicycle stores cannot keep up with demand for "family-style" bicycles: the low-cost, easy-to-ride models. 4The bicycle industry is seeing its biggest sales increase since the oil crisis of the 1970s, said Jay Townley, an industry expert. 5"People... have panicked," Townley said. He compared the sale of bicycles to the rush to buy products like toilet paper at the start of the pandemic. 6The rise in bicycle sales is not happening just in the United States. 7Cities like Manila in the Philippines and Rome, Italy have created bicycle paths for the growing number of people who want to avoid public transportation. In London, city officials plan to bar cars from some central roads. 8Bike shop owners in Manila say demand is even stronger than what they see at Christmas time. In Italy, the government's economic support plan included a 500-euro payment to help with the cost of a bicycle. 9Of course, you can only buy a bicycle if you can find a bicycle. In the U.S., the shortages now mean it may take many months to get one. 10High demand is not the only reason for the shortage. The U.S. buys 90 percent of its bicycles from China. Bicycle factories there were shut down to stop the spread of COVID-19. 11The increase in bicycle demand began in March as countries began to close down. In April, the sale of bicycles for adults increased 200 percent in the United States. All bicycle sales, including those for children, are up 100 percent from the year before, says NPD Group. The research company follows the sales of bicycles. 12Before the pandemic, bicycle sales in the United States were a $6 billion industry that was expecting lower sales in 2020. That expectation came in part because of a decision by the administration of President Donald Trump to place high tariffs on many Chinese imported goods. 13In Bar Harbor, Maine, Brian Smith bought a new bicycle for one of his daughters. She is a competitive swimmer who could not get to the pool to practice. His family now goes for rides several times a day. Bicycling helps them all get exercise and enjoy the fresh air. But the biggest reason they go on rides? 14"It's fun. Maybe that's the bottom line. It's really fun to ride bikes," Smith said. 15Joe Minutolo is the co-owner of Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop in Maine. He said he hopes the increased sales mean a change in the way people think about transportation. 16"People are having a chance to rethink things," he said. "Maybe we'll all learn something out of this, and something really good will happen," he said. 17I'm Susan Shand. 18The Associated Press reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. 19________________________________________________________________ 20Words in This Story 21outbreak - n. the sudden appearance of a contagious disease 22pandemic - n. a contagious disease that crosses borders into many countries 23bicycle -n. a two-wheeled vehicle that is ridden by pedaling 24panic-v. a state of fear and anxiety 25pool - n. a large hole in the ground filled with water used to swim 26bottom line - n. the final result 27tariff - n. a tax put on goods going to or coming from another country 28impose -v. to put in place 29pedal - n. the part of the bicycle the feet push to make it run