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.

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras My point is that most trips done by car are physically and organisationaly possible by bike. There are bikes out there to suit the majority of people. I wasn't very fit when I started, but the powered bike helped with that. We've just been conned into thinking we need cars for everything, which costs us money and is bad for our health. I think you missed my point that biking actually takes me LESS time?

Wow what's the problem with, as Iona said, people keeping fit and not polluting the environment?

Cycling is a superb form of exercise and also transport. Personally I think people should be being told to cycle rather than drive if possible at the moment!

Look yes there are the turbo-cyclists, who can feel intimidating, and without doubt they should be limited by standard lockdown rules - so cycling singly or with other household members. Groups no way.

But ... I guess you're not a cyclist, OP?!

Lockdown isn't about removing the joie de vivre, you know. That would be a bit pointless. It's about survival. And positivity/hope/joy are key to that.

Personally I have swum every day for decades so being able to cycle at the moment is keeping me sane. Still my panic attacks have returned a bit, but going on my bike resets me.

Don't be so bloody mean, OP. You might be happy enough not breaking a sweat, but some of us depend on it, and the government understands that, which is why of course cycling is ok.

I think you missed my point that biking actually takes me LESS time?

I didn't miss your point at all. I think you missed my point that many people can only meet their obligations by driving.

When my children were young there school was five miles from our house in one direction and my work was seven miles from home, in the opposite direction. There is no way that I could have cycled to school with them, in the morning and then cycled twelve miles to work in order to get there for 9 am.

I wasn't alone with that problem. Many of the parents dropped children at school and then went straight to work.

I think cycling is fine if you are in good health and have the time to allow you to do it but so many of us are constantly clock watching and up against it time wise. I just don't think cycling is feasible for many people.

tbh I don't think dropping the children at school for 9am and then being at work for 9am is possible either by car driving.

for me I had to use a childminder to drop dc at school, but due to car congestion the only way I could make it to work was to go by bike as it was far quicker, being stuck in the congestion could make a 15 minute cycle ride turn into a 25-35 minute car drive, then hunt for a storage space for the car. whereas the bike I could literally lock up outside the building - but im lazy and can't be bothered with all the faff of searching, parking and then walking

Traffic is so congested here (normally) that people are switching to bikes to get places on time. Those Dutch kiddy carrier things are suddenly everywhere.

I just don't think cycling is feasible for many people.

there are people who cannot cycle but many, many can.

likewise, there are people who cannot drive but could cycle!

Cycling gives you good health and in cities is nearly always the fastest mode of transport. I appreciate not everywhere. I've never been late for work due to transport delays or traffic problems

tbh I don't think dropping the children at school for 9am and then being at work for 9am is possible either by car driving.

And funnily enough I didn't claim to do that either. I said I dropped the children at school and then had to get to work for 9am. School started at 8.35. perfectly doable in the car. Not doable on a bike.

Many schools start at 9am. It isn’t just about one person but many thousands of parents commuting & taking children to school

So it doesn't personally work for you but it could for thousands of others if this country could change its attitude towards cycling

It isn’t just about one person but many thousands of parents commuting & taking children to school

Hold up. You posted your opinion based on what worked for you and applied it generally across the board but you've taken me to task for doing the same?

Yes, I'm sure, for some people they could do journeys by bike. Then, for others, there will be many valid reasons why they can't do journeys on a bike - ill health, distance, time constraints, motorways etc.

Hold up. You posted your opinion based on what worked for you and applied it generally across the board but you've taken me to task for doing

If I’d have applied it general across the board that would mean I’d expect everyone to ride a bike, without fail. I haven’t and this is a thread about riding bikes so people are explaining why in many cases it’s quicker by bike than by car, several people have explained this to you and the reasons why it is quicker. Even an epiosode of top gear proved it was quicker by bike across London than by car, boat or bus. I doubt you’d be able to get a boat to work for many people, but that not the point

Well my DH and DS both love to cycle .Have to say passed some on the road the other day while going shopping .All very well behaved and I let them go by ,they acknowledged me .Its bad enough on lockdown as it is esp for fitness ,Gyms closed ,pools closed , no swimming in the sea! .My daily exercise includes taking dear doggy out and thats it. Let the cyclists enjoy the empty roads I say!