If you’ve been paying attention since the start of the pandemic, you might have noticed a lot more people riding bikes than usual. Indeed, with folks stuck at home, and many activities off limits during COVID-necessitated shutdowns, a lot of folks got back to doing one for the things that wasn’t forbidden and was actually fun : riding a bike. By one estimate, cycling in urban areas was up at least 25% in the first half of 2020, while trail riding increased 100%. Stores that sell bikes and cycling gear, still have waiting lists and backlogs. It’s a a good time to be in the bike business.

James Newkirk runs the expanding empire of Baton Rouge Gotcha Bolt bike rentals

James Newkirk is operations manager of Ride Gotcha by Bolt, an app-based electric bicycle rental company, that began operating in 2019 and has 500 GPS-enabled e-bikes and 50 mobility hubs across Baton Rouge. The local Baton Rouge operation is part of a national company, Gotcha, which operates its app-based mobile bike rental service in 25 states and over 50 cities.

James is something of a natural to be heading the local service. He’s a native of Baton Rouge and has worked in bicycle shops and raced bicycles for most of his life. He also was a volunteer for the non-profit Front Yard Bikes, which we featured on this show a few months ago, and he managed the Front Yard Bikes shop before joining Gotcha in 2019.

Chuck Daniel lights up the streets of Baton Rouge from 7PM -2AM with Geaux Ride

Chuck Daniel is owner of Geaux Ride, a local company that rents glow-in-the-dark bicycles for nightly bike rides and bike tours of downtown Baton Rouge. The tours are a great way to get out and see the city and stay in shape and they’re popular with groups looking for themed parties and events.

Cyclist and radio show host Stephanie Riegel and Geaux Ride’s Chuck Daniel

Out to Lunch Baton Rouge is recorded live over lunch at Mansurs on the Boulevard. Photos by Chris Tricou.