Nick Swartsell / WVXU
Saturdays are busy at Reser Bicycle in Newport. At any given time, there are two bikes up on the rack in for repairs. Customers trickle in and out, looking for gear or a new bike.
In fact, since the pandemic, more and more people are coming in for the latter, employee Gabe Robinson says. I can t put a number on it, but I would say on a typical Saturday that s the majority of people coming in, they re thinking, I want to get back on a bike; or get a new bike or upgrade from this old mid-90s bike, that s the vast majority of people coming in on a Saturday, says Robinson.
Nick Swartsell / WVXU
Of the many unforeseen impacts of the global pandemic on daily life, the increased popularity of cycling is probably one of the more surprising and positive.
Mirroring national trends, Greater Cincinnati has seen more people taking to two wheels over the past year. That s been great for the cycling community, but has also put a severe crunch on supplies of new bicycles as demand outpaces the capacity to build them. But despite shortages, there are still places to get used bicycles and parts.
Joining
Cincinnati Edition to talk about the boom in bicycling are Reser Bicycle Outfitters owner Jason Reser and MoBo Bicycle Coop s Nate Kemphues.