As more cities close down streets to traffic, new riders are hopping on bikes every day. Evan Friss (James Madison University), author of On Bicycles: A 200-Year History of Cycling in New York City, talks about the rise in pandemic pedaling and why New York’s bike share program is so successful. And: With so few cars on the road, CO2 emissions have dropped dramatically. But if every silver lining has a touch of grey, it’s the rise in single-use plastic pollution. Matt Eick (Virginia Tech) is a soil scientist who digs deep into our natural environment during this pandemic.

Later in the show: Would you be willing to pay an extra few cents for compostable take out containers? Mary Beth Manjerovic (Virginia Military Institute) is asking and restaurants are willing as our trash piles up. Plus: Edward Maibach (George Mason University) suggests we start conversations about climate change in unexpected places: Facebook, the doctor’s office, and the TV weather report.