To think cycling should be banned under lockdown?

[catsarelifetome]

I just had to drive to an essential medical appointment, and come across dozens of cyclists.

Why is cycling still allowed when driving is only allowed for essential travel? Surely the 1 hour exercise should be restricted to walking? If the cyclist falls off or is hit by a car, that puts pressure on emergency services.

And yes I know a very small minority will be cycling to an essential job... but I doubt all the people I saw were doing so. Surely the rules should be the same... essential travel only.

I took my kids out for a bike ride today on the quiet streets around where I live for under an hour. Are we all 'exercise addicts'?

Car drivers are a far bigger irritant

hear I am sorry about your situation. Everyone else is trying to make the best of it, and that includes taking up the legitimate chance to get out of the house. I’m truly sorry you can’t but that is for your protection. If we were all stuck with the least options none of us would be doing anything, and how would that help you?

why are so many of the bastards cycling on pavements in cycling gear ?

I don’t wear cycling gear and neither do my kids. The kids are on the pavements because it’s safer although I’ve started teaching my eldest about road rules, the Highway Code and general safety. You do have to teach them British rules and customs, it does not come naturally. For me, well judging off the comment I had the other day - apart from the danger of Britain’s roads, are you aware that some ‘pavements’ are now joint cycle paths? You can tell by the big cycles painted on them. I don’t like that joint arrangement either, I’d rather Britain got its arse in gear and started proper cycle paths but there it is.

What is wrong with wearing cycling clothes?
Do you have the same level of disdain for people who wear a swimming costume in the pool, or walking boots to go walking, or a dog lead for their dog instead of a bit of string? Weird.

Exercise is actually essential for good health. Those who don't exercise are far more likely to get cancer, diabetes, hear disease, obesity, poor mental health. And, if they get covid, to die of it.
It makes sense to get out exercising in the sun as much as possible, to reduce pressure on the NHS. If some people unfortunately can't do this, it's not a reason for others not to.

ThrowingGoodAfterBad

Because the very clear government advice, which is repeated often by ministers and public health experts, is that we should all stay at home, and only leave the house for very clear reasons. One of the reasons is once a day for exercise and again it is made abundantly clear that everyone should still minimise the time spent outside even for exercise.

People clearly aren't following this advice. That does impact me because the spread will continue and the restrictions on my life will continue for longer. The restrictions on my life are enormous. You are very lucky to be able to get out to exercise but the more that you and others abuse that the longer people like me will be severely impacted because the rates of infection will not drop low enough for my restrictions to be released.

Read this research. It makes it very clear that two metres is not adequate to stop the spread of droplet infection, that coughing and sneezing spreads it much much further.

Turbulent Gas Clouds and Respiratory Pathogen EmissionsPotential Implications for Reducing Transmission of COVID-19

LydiaBourouiba,PhD1

JAMA.Published online March 26, 2020. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.4756

So yes, people flouting the guidelines around length and frequency of exercise will very much impact me, if that flouting prolongs the infection rates.

The cyclist hate in England is really weird. Dh cycled in lots of places on our travels and gets the most abuse here. None in California. When he got a puncture in Ireland the whole village came out to help and the church was opened “that’s a grand bike you have there” etc

I cycle to work daily. I've noticed everyone is,now walking or jogging in the cycle path I use. Never used to see anyone before lockdown. I use cycle paths and the road.

If I'm on the road I'm hated, path hated (understand that) but my own space, cycle path, has everyone in it. Where are we meant to go?

Those who don't exercise are far more likely to get cancer, diabetes, hear disease, obesity, poor mental health.
Yes, in the long term. Not by reducing exercise for a few months.

'Months' is plenty of time to re-shape previously good habits into bad. Plenty.

My husband is a cyclist and is very conflicted about what to do. He is itching to get out but at the moment is just using his bike on rollers in the garden as doesn't feel comfortable about it.

Months' is plenty of time to re-shape previously good habits into bad. Plenty.

It might be. But three months of one hour per day exercise won't cause heart disease, cancer, obesity or diabetes, which is what the poster was suggesting.

Wow so much disdain for cyclists! Everyone I've encountered out exercising (running, walking, cycling, scooting etc) has been careful, courteous and friendly. This whole situation is bringing out the best in (the majority of, although not all) people in my opinion. It's lovely to see people out and about getting exercise and some sunshine for a short period of time. I've certainly not come across anyone coughing so have no reason to fear walking past someone at least 6ft away.

I see your concern now hear. I’ll have a look at that link, although it’s a new virus, there will be different opinions on it, and all most of us can do is follow the official best practice advice coming from NHS government. Police are clamping down, we were stopped while out the other day (for shopping).

NHS via government

I ride with my children (including my 7 year old) on the road and have done for a couple of years. Before that if she rode on the pavement, I was on the road next to her. There's no excuse to be on the pavement I think. I don't particularly like being confronted by young children on their scooters on the pavement as I have a bad knee and back which are easily jarred if I have to swerve to avoid them.

Don't understand the dislike for cyclists. Or runners. (I am both, of course!). There are too many cars on the road at the moment, and too many groups of people wandering around. At least a runner is actually exercising. And so what if there are more than there were before all of this?

People are becoming a bit ridiculous I think.

Being shielded is help hooves. Everyone has restrictions, some more than others. Of course you and your needs are of prime concern. To you. It is utterly unreasonable to expect your demands to be met by everyone.

longwayoff

I don't expect my needs to be met by anyone.

I do expect everyone to abide by the guidelines set to minimise the spread and duration of this illness though, for the good of everyone in the country.

If anyone thinks their desire to go on extended bike rides is more important then I'll reserve my right to judge them.

I've noticed everyone is,now walking or jogging in the cycle path I use.

Same! Near where I live, we have some lovely places to exercise with separate paths for pedestrians and cyclists. Mixed use paths are OK but obviously separate provision is better for everyone. I wish people would get a bike if they want to come in the cycle lane.

I encountered a woman the other day standing around looking at her phone on one side of the cycle path, with a dog on an extendable lead the other side, the lead spread across the path like a bloody tripwire - so dangerous. I know she's not representative of all pedestrians, just a particularly self entitled individual. But people like her do the reputation of pedestrians no favour.

Nah, it's annoying, but I understand why they want to keep further away from the other people using the correct path and I just hope they don't make a long term habit of it (though I do think they might consider just walking on the grass)

Is it against the law for pedestrians to walk on cycle paths then?

How would you prevent that exactly?I know many key workers going to work shifts on their bikes.

I encountered a woman the other day standing around looking at her phone on one side of the cycle path, with a dog on an extendable lead the other side, the lead spread across the path like a bloody tripwire - so dangerous.

Oh that's not a new thing. I often run along a track with shared use by cyclists and pedestrians. I make sure a dog walker knows I'm coming along, either by a cheery hello or when it's dark making sure I am well lit up (head torch, arm lights). If they haven't acknowledged my presence before I get to them I will slow down A LOT as I've tripped over those leads before.

The only time dh has come off is due to dog walkers being dim on a cycle path designated a commuter cycle path between two cities. He came home bloody and bruised last year as he had crashed to avoid a woman’s dog and then got a mouthful of abuse for his efforts!

Ban dog walkers! Except I don’t think that because I am not a nutter

The worst thing is couple who spill over into cycle paths because they're sooooo in love they can't possibly break from holding hands for 5 seconds so that I don't smash into them

Is it against the law for pedestrians to walk on cycle paths then?

I don't think it's against the law where I live, no. If they like getting repeatedly dinged at by bicycle bells and putting everyone at greater risk of a collision, technically I'm sure they are committing no crime.

It's just stupid where separate provision has been made. I could also cycle on the footpath if I chose and we could have two mixed use paths, but that would be to the detriment of all concerned. Separating cyclists and pedestrians is beneficial for both groups.