Bike use in Australia during coronavirus pandemic
Presenter 1: “Welcome back to the Don’t Bore Me Challenge. Well, it’s another day of quarantine lockdown, and people are still looking for new ways to cope with the new normal. Two of the big challenges people are trying to cope with are the best mode of transportation during the pandemic and alternative exercises to avoid going to the Gym. Fortunately, I might have a solution for both.”
Presenter 2: “okay, seems you have had quite some time to reflect on this topic. So what solution have you finally come up with?”
Presenter 1: “it’s actually quite simple, biking. I have found that simply riding a bike provides a solution to both pandemic challenges. Riding a bike offers a convenient mode of transport while going out to the grocery store for food supplies and to other public areas. It also offers you a chance to have a full-body exercise as the cycling process engages a number of your core muscles. In fact, I am not the only one who has taken up cycling as quick research online has shown that bike sales are on the rise in Australia and around the world. For example, in the April 22 issue of the Guardian, Justine Landis-Hanley explores the topic of cycling and explains that in this quarantine period, bicycles have become the new toilet paper (Landis-Hanley, 2020). An added advantage of riding a bicycle is that it takes care of both challenges while allowing you to comply with social distancing guidelines.”
Presenter 2: “Wow, that actually makes perfect sense. However, other modes of transport, like trams or buses, are faster and more convenient. So what benefits do you get from riding a bike compared to them?”
Presenter 1: “I agree that other transport systems are faster than riding a bike and offer more convenience for longer distances. Nonetheless, the coronavirus pandemic has made public forms of transport quite dangerous as riding a bus or tram increases your chances of being infected. In the same issue of the Guardian, Justine states that public transport use in Australia has fallen by over 75% as people seek alternatives (Landis-Hanley, 2020). Bicycles offer a perfect option as they enable you to move around without coming into contact with many people. This has made bike sales in Australia skyrocket in the past few months.”
Presenter 2: “what about the fitness benefits you stated earlier?”
Presenter 1: “actually, the fitness benefits of cycling are the most attracting feature of riding a bike. Since I started cycling, I have managed to maintain my physical fitness while avoiding the Gym. Cycling also offers a better alternative to walking or jogging as it helps in maintaining social distancing. There are numerous bike trails available that help you avoid crowded spaces, e.g. the park where most people go jogging and take nature walks. Therefore, cycling helps you to get some exercise while protecting yourself from being infected.”
Presenter 2: “Thank you. That was quite insightful. I now think I will also take up cycling to enjoy the benefits as well.” (WC: 520)
Works cited
Landis-Hanley, Justine. (2020, April 22) ‘Bicycles are the new toilet paper’; bike sales boom as coronavirus lockdown residents crave exercise, The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/apr/22/bicycles-are-the-new-toilet-paper-bike-sales-boom-as-coronavirus-lockdown-residents-crave-exercise#maincontent