WAGGA cycling identities are hopeful residents won't throw their bikes to the back of the garage after the coronavirus pandemic ends, with the sport experiencing a boom in participation.
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With most sports forced to go into hibernation, cycling is one of the few options available as residents look to stay fit and active when stuck at home.
Wagga Cycling Club coach Cameron Oke said enhancing the city's growing reputation as a cycling stronghold can be one of the positives to come from a tough situation.
"The two bike shops in town are absolutely flat out and we've given out probably 25 to 30 bikes to our members at no charge, just to help the kids get through the situation we see ourselves in," Oke said.
"We hope it (pandemic finishing) doesn't stop the cyclists. It's fantastic to get kids and adults and everyone on bikes."
It comes as a new stage of Wagga's Active Travel Plan Cycle Way was approved by council this week, which includes 42km of new cycleways linking residential parts of the city with the central business district.
Wagga is also scheduled to host the Junior Road National Championships in September, while it is hoped construction of a multisport cycling complex at Pomingalarna Reserve will commence later this year.
Kidsons Cycles owner Kris Whybro said while business has picked up, the biggest positive to come out of a bad interest was the increased popularity of the sport.
"We've been very busy and yes, we've been selling and fixing a lot of bikes, but the biggest thing for us is it's fantastic to see more people out there enjoying cycling," he said.
"Wagga's awesome to ride around, it's a beautiful town and it's an opportunity to get out and enjoy it.
"Families are getting out there and enjoying the bike patches. It's great to see everyone doing it and making one positive out of a negative situation.
"It's a hard situation because so many people are struggling and hopefully this is one of the positives that come out of it, everyone realising what Wagga's got to offer.
Whybro said they're well aware other businesses in town are going through far tougher times.
"We're making a conscious effort to support all the businesses around us and even travelling to other businesses to help them with their bikes," he said.
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