Many in Budapest have responded to the pandemic restrictions by taking to two wheels. With extra bike lanes along major routes and spring now with us, more and more people are cycling, meaning waiting lists up to a fortnight long at some local repair shops. We speak with people in the trade.
From early on in the pandemic, the Budapest Transport Company (BKK) addressed the issue of crossing the city safely and responsibly by creating a number of new bike likes, spiking an even higher popularity in urban cycling.
After creating cycle routes along Bartók Béla út, Tétényi út and Üllői út, another was added on the major Pest thoroughfare of the Nagykörút, the Grand Boulevard that links the main districts. One has just begun to be painted on Villányi út.
Recent data produced by I Bike Budapest, showed that along Árpád Bridge, for example, on the second Saturday in May, more than 6,000 people were cycling compared with 3,800 people along the same stretch in 2018.
Increased cycle use has also meant a boom at specific stores and repair shops around town. At the Recikli Bike Workshop on Bartók Béla út, a mecca for Budapest couriers, they are already working with a waiting list of about two weeks.
In addition to servicing, sales have also skyrocketed, and there seems to be a lot of shiny new bikes in the city. Many are advising people to seek the help of experts before they buy, as the wrong-sized bike or one improperly assembled can mean a long wait afterwards.
Levente Takács, the owner of the K2 Bike Shop in Óbuda, also reported similar experiences: “We have had to introduce restrictions on our repair work as a lot of our time is now spent the process of buying new bikes, and increased traffic meaning shorter working hours. For those who are new to cycling, our main advice is to get some good practice in on less congested routes before risking Budapest’s busier roads. And, of course, don’t forget your helmet!” K2 encourages everyone to do a little research first or order online for secure shopping.
This also underlined by the Facebook post of KerékpárCity, with stores in Csepel and Soroksár. Even back in mid-April, it seems they were having difficulties coping with demand, swamped with orders and enquiries.
It is hard to say whether this is just a fad brought on by circumstance, or whether more and more people will be happy to cycle in Budapest after the pandemic.
