The COVID-19 virus has brought significant challenges to our nation and cycling community at all levels. In addition to the serious impacts of the virus on public health, many companies and organizations are facing serious hardship. Events are cancelled or postponed. Businesses are reducing hours, laying off employees, and closing. People are facing loss of income and childcare. All this while grappling with the fear of when and where the virus might touch their lives and their loved ones.
But we are not powerless. The cycling community is diverse, widespread, and strong. We are a passionate, motivated group of people ranging from the intrepid commuter to the adventurous kid to the winning Olympian. Millions of us ride trails, bike paths, roads, tracks, parks, trainers, and sidewalks all over the planet. If we come together, if we channel even a fraction of our love for this sport into supporting our community when we need it most, we will endure this threat. We can save the stores and companies we rely on, the events we love, the organizations that work hard to protect and support riders everywhere. We can show the world that being a cyclist means being part of a community that rallies together in hard times.
Over the next few days, USA Cycling will present the “How You Can Help” series to share ideas on how you can support groups across our community impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. We are asking you to help local bike shops, small businesses, event organizers, youth organizations, nonprofits, and each other so we can all survive this tough time and continue making our sport better in the future. But our ideas are just a start – we invite you to bring your own suggestions so we can all work together to support each other. We may have to #gosolo on rides right now, but that doesn’t mean we are alone.
