Theme	Key quotes
More cyclists observed than usual	“Yes, there are a lot more people wanting to cycle to take short trips. It has given me additional appreciation for how good cycleways are and how few we really have in Sydney. Would love to see more and encourage more people to cycle.” “There are more people cycling and less cars. Feels safer and I have ridden on roads that I would normally avoid.” “Certainly has changed the views of those around me. My mum bought a bike, probably for the first time in decades, and rides around our suburb for exercise. There are definitely more people riding, lots of middle aged people getting around, either on their own or with kids, and lots more delivery riders.”
Reduced traffic influence on ridership	“More people are clearly cycling in the pandemic due to reduced traffic. With many companies looking to encourage WFH [working from home] going forward, surely this is a prime opportunity to shift trips to cycling.” “I have started cycling as a result of reduced traffic volumes.” “Totally. I have been riding bikes more than ever before. Conditions are so great with light traffic. I ride share bikes Onyahbike so wherever I go around in Sydney, there is always one nearby to ride. That's awesome”.
More families and children cycling	“More family/recreational cyclists at present - fewer cars on the road helps this situation.” “I have been cycling for exercise and recreation more often, and have seen many others do the same. There are also a lot more children and very young children out cycling or learning to ride as well.” “Yes, I think it's opened up the possibilities of cycling to more new people. I've seen many new riders, including families and more delivery riders. They need to be supported, with safer infrastructure and with information (eg navigational) to keep them riding rather than 'return to normal'.” “I have noticed lots of families cycling for recreation and exercise. Increasing traffic of cycle delivery services. More riders commuting, more riders recreation/exercise.”
Higher imperative to invest in cycling infrastructure	“The CoVID crisis has shown the latent interest in cycling in Sydney. Provided with quieter streets and limited other avenues of exercise and transport (carrot and stick) the uptake in cycling has demonstrated what was always known to be the case - that people in sydney want to ride. It is now incumbent on state and local governments to rapidly facilitate this demand by strategically rolling out cheap tactical urbanism infrastructure.” “I was already a commuting cyclist. Covid19 has heightened the need for wider, more substantial, and connected cycle ways and systems for encouraging cycling in Sydney. I know some people who have begun cycling.” “Hoping it can be a catalyst for behaviour change and investment in cycling infrastructure to make it more popular and safer for more people to ride more often. Has not changed my own behaviour except working from home so no longer commuting by bike. Have seen heaps more kids and families on bikes which is great.” “The situation has highlighted that road traffic is a major barrier to people taking up cycling for fun and probably commuting too. With hardly any traffic people of all ages and abilities and flocking the streets, parks and shared paths to ride. I believe more people will want to commute by bike post covid. My area has seen a massive rise in the number of recreational riders. Poor infrastructure, low prioritisation for cyclists versus cycles have been barriers in the past. The models used to justify business cases roads need to be reassessed given the growing number of people wanting to use active transport.”
Increased motivation / willingness to cycle in future	“I've noticed many more children + caregivers cycling around, which is great! I hope this helps with driver tolerance and city planning towards a more comprehensive cycle-friendly network. My own views and behaviours stay the same, although I am considering an ebike so I can commute easily and regularly when I return to the office.” “Yes personally I bought a bike to enable independent transport as I have no car.”
Concerns in safety from higher volume of cyclists, inexperienced riders and cars driving reckless on open roads	“I still enjoy cycling however COVID-19 has definitely brought out a lot more riders/cyclists that weren't there before. There are people cycling that don't normally cycle and aren't aware of basic cycling etiquette... I'm talking about keeping to the left if you're riding as a family (I can forgive kids but adults should know better), two friends riding "together" with one riding on the shared pedestrian-cycling footpath chatting to another riding on the cycle path which runs next to an active driving lane... This placed riders behind the latter rider in an unnecessarily dangerous situation looking for a gap in traffic to overtake. It has been interesting to see the spike in sales of bicycles and indoor trainers. It will be interesting to see whether these changes are sustained after COVID-19.” “I’ve noticed how less traffic allows me to look at new routes and feel safer riding on the road. I have also discovered that Centennial Park is more dangerous without cars” “It is more dangerous to cycle because cars can drive faster due to less traffic. As a result, my trip is less enjoyable.” “I have noticed more cyclists, but many have no clue about basic cycling etiquette.”
Short-term health and hygiene benefits	“Yes, I prefer to cycle more at the moment to allow for greater ability to socially distance. It also allows me the ability to get more exercise as I feel I'm a lot more sedentary during this work from home period.” “Yes! I am cycling more for necessary trips like shopping than taking the bus. Very grateful to have a bike, and cycling confidence in this hectic Sydney road environment, so I can easily keep my distance to others and avoid public transport during this time.” “I would like to try commuting by bicycle rather than catch the bus and have a higher risk of Covid infection.” “I see it [cycling] as even more important and urgent for fitness, air quality, congestion, and urban resilience.”
Shift in commute / public transport decrease	“Made me want to cycle more rather than take public transport. This is true for friends of mine also.” “I’m spending more time on my bike now. When we do return to work in the office I plan to commute by bike every day” “I would now be much more likely to cycle or walk than take the bus.”