Emergency Bike Network in a Week: Quick response to rapidly changing mobility patterns

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our everyday lives with clear directives from governments to stay home, maintain social distance and stop all non-essential travel.  As rates of driving and transit use have plummeted, levels of walking and cycling are on the rise with great numbers coming out of New York and the UK. This is putting pressure on existing active transportation networks. Maintaining a distance of 1.5 m (6 feet) from fellow pedestrians or cyclists is difficult on a narrow bike lane. At the same time, with fewer cars on the road, cities around the world are reporting increased speeding among car drivers. This is placing that increase of vulnerable road users at even greater risk.

With cities focusing on managing the impacts of the pandemic, what steps can be taken to support the travel needs of essential services workers that are looking to the bicycle as a reliable transportation tool? An emergency bike network can be the quick response to these new transportation challenges.

This piece from consultancy firm Mobycon shows how 'Emergency Bike Networks' can be set up in just one week.