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Original poster

To think cycling should be banned under lockdown?

638 replies

catsarelifetome · 06/04/2020 18:24

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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
Chuchyduck · 08/04/2020 18:49

Utterly unreasonable, leave the cyclists alone.

Mysterian · 08/04/2020 18:58

I've got a single ding bell. If that better than a briiiiiing bell?

JKScot4 · 08/04/2020 18:59

Public transport has been severely cut back so I think ppl are commuting on bikes.

ragged · 08/04/2020 19:30

My local train service says "TRAINS ARE ONLY FOR KEY WORKERS!" on its website. maybe it's same on the bus company .

both buses & trains are completely empty right now every time I see them (I live next to stations). I hate the pointless pollution of them running.

If needed transport to get to a "job I can't do at home" I'm not sure if I'd be allowed on the train.

PuffinShop · 08/04/2020 19:32

If you're not sure someone has heard you just slow right down

Yeah obviously. But I'll give them every chance to hear me and react first. Most people do.

I've never had a collision or even a vaguely close call, I always go carefully around walkers and joggers and respect their right of way. Anyone is free to disbelieve me and of course I can't prove it on the internet, but I'm actually a very safe cyclist.

Worriedmum54321 · 08/04/2020 20:50

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.

but you just said people didn't need to exercise daily...not that we should take an hour a day

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 09/04/2020 10:19

but you just said people didn't need to exercise daily...not that we should take an hour a day

Government healthy living guidelines (in normal times) don't state exercising daily do they?

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 09/04/2020 10:29

medium.com/@jurgenthoelen/belgian-dutch-study-why-in-times-of-covid-19-you-can-not-walk-run-bike-close-to-each-other-a5df19c77d08

Seems that exercising outdoors, even if maintaining a two metre distance, isn't the safe activity many of you claim it to be

ErrolTheDragon · 09/04/2020 11:16

We're keeping way more than 2m from anyone - not using the towpath because it's not wide enough, crossing the road if necessary through the village, diving into hedges (well, more or less) on the lane (neither of those tactics needed often though).... but the field paths are deserted.

LaurieMarlow · 09/04/2020 12:04

Government healthy living guidelines (in normal times) don't state exercising daily do they?

But that’s working on the assumption people are out and about more than are right now.

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 09/04/2020 12:07

But that’s working on the assumption people are out and about more than are right now.

Literally nowhere do any guidelines state you have to do X amount of outdoor activity across the week to remain healthy. It is activity, not whether it's indoors or outdoors that is the key.

You could do lots of indoor exercise. It doesn't have to be outdoors.

LaurieMarlow · 09/04/2020 12:10

You could do lots of indoor exercise. It doesn't have to be outdoors.

You could. But being outside, fresh air, sunlight are all well known to be good for people’s physical and mental health.

That’s been pointed out to you a billion times already. I’m not sure why I’m holding out that it might go in!!!

cologne4711 · 09/04/2020 12:15

I just saw this article which I thought was very sensible: www.cyclist.co.uk/in-depth/8035/what-is-an-acceptable-distance-and-duration-to-ride-during-the-covid-19-crisis

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 09/04/2020 12:16

You could. But being outside, fresh air, sunlight are all well known to be good for people’s physical and mental health.

Unless some of the new research coming out proves to be right in which case exercising outdoors might actually turn out to be risky.

Currently there are 1.5 million of us shielding. I hope the government have some rigorous plans in place to treat the myriad physical and mental effects that we are going to be suffering from when this finally ends ( which, according to MN will be both numerous and severe right,?)

cologne4711 · 09/04/2020 12:20

Seems that exercising outdoors, even if maintaining a two metre distance, isn't the safe activity many of you claim it to be

That article kind of assumes everyone out has covid. It's pretty unlikely. If you feel ill you won't be out, whatever you have. If you have symptoms you should be self-isolating. And even if you don't have symptoms your body will be fighting it so you might feel a bit rubbish and end up not going out for a run next time.

Anyway, most of the time I am away more than 2m away from anyone. And if I do come in closer it's for a split second., nowhere near enough time for my "spitting and panting" to eject an infected droplet to a passer-by. And I cover my mouth and nose when I pass someone but that's more for their reassurance not because I think we'll give each other anything.

I've not been out cycling but that's because I am scared of crazy drivers. Quiet roads do not = safety, they = drivers who think nobody else is on the road.

LaurieMarlow · 09/04/2020 12:21

Unless some of the new research coming out proves to be right in which case exercising outdoors might actually turn out to be risky.

Well the government has access to that and will act on it if it sees fit. In the meantime, we’ll work to the guidelines.

Currently there are 1.5 million of us shielding. I hope the government have some rigorous plans in place to treat the myriad physical and mental effects that we are going to be suffering from when this finally ends

I seriously hope so too. I’ve read some stuff on the long term effects of Quarantine and it’s not something to take lightly.

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 09/04/2020 12:22

If you feel ill you won't be out, whatever you have. If you have symptoms you should be self-isolating. And even if you don't have symptoms your body will be fighting it so you might feel a bit rubbish and end up not going out for a run next time.

This isn't true at all. It's thought that many people are asymptomatic so you can't know that you don't have it, just because you feel well.

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 09/04/2020 12:24

I’ve read some stuff on the long term effects of Quarantine and it’s not something to take lightly.

I don't think any of us shielding are taking it lightly. I can almost guarantee though, that when this is over we will just have to carry on as though nothing has happened.

browzingss · 09/04/2020 12:24

I’m a key worker on my way to work. Just came across a man cycling on the pavement, baring in mind my area’s roads are empty with lots of green areas - he should be on the road not the pavement surely.

Was annoying as he certainly wasn’t attempting to maintain social distancing as he overtook me, nor was he mindful of others further up the pavement. Would have been fine had he been on the road.

MedSchoolRat · 09/04/2020 17:51

^medium.com/@jurgenthoelen/belgian-dutch-study-why-in-times-of-covid-19-you-can-not-walk-run-bike-close-to-each-other-a5df19c77d08^

That article's claims are CRAP. I can't say that too much.
Every discipline is jumping on the cv19 bandwagon applying ignorant expertise.
Non-peer review claims are being reported as fact.
It's fraying on my nerves.
The guy who made that model (theoretical!) is a civil engineer, he isn't an expert in infectious diseases. The links given in the articles are to other translations & versions of the pop-science article.

I'm beginning to despair. If you could catch cv19 that easily it would have swept the whole planet within 3 weeks.

Return to what people Need to KNOW.

How to keep their mental health good, how to help each other stay sane. How to create escape lanes to get out of domestic violence in spite of social distancing. How to stay cheerful when we don't know this will end.

They don't need to know made up rubbish scaremongering. Just Argh.

fascinated · 09/04/2020 18:21

There’s no excuse for adults cycling on pavements at any time, especially now.

Snorkelface · 09/04/2020 20:39

Study now reported on the BBC says the following

'By using methods used to enhance athletes' performances, the teams from Eindhoven University of Technology and Leuven University found the greatest risk of infection existed in the slipstream.

On the basis of these results, the scientists advise that those on the move should be given more of a social distance. Walkers should get at least four metres, runners 10 metres and cyclists at least 20 metres.'

fascinated · 09/04/2020 21:54

20 metres?!

Snorkelface · 09/04/2020 22:52

20 metres is basically being in a different street!

Mysterian · 09/04/2020 23:19

I'm stopping slipstreaming people when I walk now then.

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