Italian cities see bicycle boom after COVID-19 lockdown

FILE PHOTO: A cyclist passes the Trevi Fountain, as Italy begins to ease some of the restrictions of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown, in Rome, Italy May 7, 2020. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane - RC2QJG9FV9WK/File Photo

ROME (Reuters) - Italy has seen a surge in bicycle sales since the government ended its coronavirus lockdown as people steer clear of public transport and respond to government incentives to help the environment.

Some 540,000 bikes have been sold nationwide since shops across the country reopened in early May, according to sector lobby Ancma, a 60% increase in the first month compared to the same period in 2019.