Cycling stores have been reporting noticeable increases in sales during the pandemic, not just in Orillia and Simcoe County, but right across North America.
And there’s plenty of evidence that these bikes, and perhaps some older models hauled out of the garage and dusted off, are being used on local roads and trails.
Active cyclists report seeing more people, particularly families, enjoying two-wheeled outings.
And there is some data supporting their observations, which also indicates the increase is quite significant.
Brendan Matheson keeps an eye on the Strava app dashboard which shows local ridership numbers — although they are limited to those who use the app, which is popular among cyclists and those who like to be active.
He is seeing a huge jump of local cyclists taking advantage of the moment to ride their bikes.
“Although cycling tourism is down this spring, local cycling is up… So we’re actually seeing a huge influx of local cyclists. I hope that carries on in the future because I think seeing more cyclists out on the roads creates a demand for better infrastructure,” said the Tourism Simcoe County outdoor experience development co-ordinator.
Matheson has taken to examining data gathered by the activity app and he started noticing a change in the numbers as the pandemic wore on, compared to last year.
As of Monday, cyclists recorded 8,636 rides in Simcoe County, Orillia and Barrie so far in 2020, that’s up 16 per cent over the same period last year, when cyclists turned on Strava for 5,765 rides.
What’s interesting is that there’s a noticeable jump in the number of people who live locally.
In 2019, 72 per cent of total riders were visitors. So far this year, 41 per cent are visitors and 59 per cent are locals.
The Strava statistics also show that 95 per cent are leisure riders while commuters account for the other five per cent.
Matheson has been working to increase cycling tourism to the area and improve safety and access. Safety signage has been posted on roadways along with videos on Tourism Simcoe County’s website to ensure motorists and cyclists can use the roads harmoniously.
But infrastructure is also an important aspect that many groups have focused on in the area.
In 2015, Simcoe County updated its transportation master plan. Now a one-metre paved shoulder must be considered for any road up for reconstruction. It’s an ongoing progressive plan designed to better accommodate cyclists on more roadways over the coming years. Another aspect is to identify the roads most commonly used by cyclists.
And while Simcoe Tourism’s efforts are focused on the recreational cyclist, some hope the renewed interest in cycling may spark something more.
Sherry Diaz, a public health nurse and Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit representative on Barrie’s active transportation and sustainability advisory committee, thinks there’s a good chance that the current popularity of cycling could lead to more sustained practice and more infrastructure.
“It could be a movement or a shift for municipalities considering this as a more permanent situation in their communities beyond the pandemic,” she said. “I think there is a very real chance that that is the movement and certainly sparking a lot of increased awareness about the importance of that infrastructure.”
Those who discovered — or rediscovered — cycling during the pandemic might find the bike more than just a recreational pursuit, she muses.
Some may just add cycling to their routine after the pandemic and perhaps even use it to get places or to commute.
Meanwhile there are ongoing efforts in Barrie to make it more bike friendly through additional bike lanes and a transportation master plan to increase infrastructure, she said.
“We have to start somewhere and I think we’re at a point which we could certainly grow,” she said.
Members of the Barrie Cycling Club are excited to see so many more riders out on local streets. There is concern, however, that both motorists and new cyclists need to become more comfortable with each other on local streets.
Club president Nicole van Beurden feels local motorists aren’t as accustomed to having to share the road with cyclists here, often because many local longtime cyclists head straight out of town to ride the country roads.
She contrasts that with Toronto, home to many bike commuters and bike couriers and where bikes are more commonplace.
“But in Barrie it’s different. It’s not necessarily common knowledge to a lot of drivers to be aware to watch out for bikes,” she said.
