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.

@yearinyearout Agreed - VERY hilly in our village, and a brisk walk around it with the toddler in the buggy every day has been wearing DP and I (both pretty fit and healthy people) our!

If it was restricted to walking only then a lot of peoples health and fitness would decline significantly. Not everyone was sedentary before the lockdown.

I agree. Cyclists and runners are very often unable to keep the distance with other people due to speed etc. Runners are so determined to follow their preferred path so seem to be unable to stop. I appreciate that running and cycling are good kind of exercise, but being a walker I’m constantly stressed about just another runner huffing and puffing in my back and trying to squeeze in between 2 people who respect social distancing.

As a PP noted, I cycle to the supermarket and can get a weeks worth of food in my backpack and panniers etc. If I went on foot, I’d have to go more regularly. I’m following The Rulez.

I cycle to the park, go off into the woods and get muddy and lost. Then cycle on to the shop.

It’s a brilliant way to spend my time.

It's counts as a form of exercise rather than just travel, and we can take any form of exercise.

And there is already a ban on that as it would be classed as a mass gathering.
So no we should not ban cycling as it is essential for some people. We should continue with the current restrictions of no mass gatherings

It’s my only way of getting from A to B for essential journeys. I really hope it doesn’t get banned. That would be terrible.

I don't own a car, I cycle everywhere. If cycling was banned I would have to go to the supermarket every other day as I'd only be able to buy what I can carry.

I know a lot of non driving nurses cycling to work at the moment to avoid public transport , would you prefer they

A) stay home
B) use public transport, get sick and end up at home (at best)
C) they continue cycling to work in order to care for the sick?

YABU op. Exercise and keeping fit is important right now and cycling is a really good way of doing that.

Today my DC and I went out for our daily exercise on bikes (DS2 and me) a DS1 on his scooter. We went to the local cricket club, which is literally around the corner from our house and had a marvellous time having sole use of the empty car park. If I'd taken them out walking, we'd have ended up in our local woods, which was really busy today. So by cycling, we completely avoided the crowds.

I wish I had a bicycle at the moment, it would be a much safer way of social distancing and great exercise.

I bet you can't wait, OP, until the roads of so full of cars again that it is no longer safe for cyclists.

you're joking right? I went for a run earlier and the roads were full of cars. How can cyclists be contributing to the crisis?

As long as you're sticking to the rules (I like the way you say you were going to an essential medical appointment - but surely there are more eco friendly ways to get around), cycling is much better for the individual and the environment than driving.

(groups of Mamils cycling around Regents Park can just fuck right off though).

YABU

It's a completely environmentally friendly form of transport.
It's virtually free once you own the kit.
Accidents are likely to be much less severe, especially if they are not accidents caused by / in conjunction with a car. At present, that really matters.
It's good exercise.
It's a perfectly valid way to get to work, avoiding the need to use crowded & possibly hazardous public transport.
Petrol & diesel prices are not likely to decrease until the pandemic is over. They are already going up in some areas.
Not everyone owns a car.
Some people enjoy it!
Why is it your business how other people exercise, as long as they are keeping to the rules.

I would support stronger incentives for cyclists to have insurance though. Even if only for their own protection. Too many people don't consider cyclists as valid road users.
I would also support stronger deterrents/punishments for cyclists on pavements. Unless they are primary school aged, or have relevant SEN, they shouldn't be there.

I’ve seen groups of cyclists but they are adhering to the 2 metre rule and it’s counted as exercise so I fail to see what the issue is?

Why are some people so keen to ban things just because they don’t do them?

There seem to a lot of people who’s only form of exercise seems to be picking up the phone and walking to the car who seem to resent others trying to keep fit.

Ridiculous

They actually want people to cycle to work, OP, as it's safer than using public transport.
They also want people to exercise as it's important for mental and physical health. Some people are aiming to improve their health in order to boost their immune system. So why would it be banned?

Husband and I are both front line health care workers (although in now shielding) and we both cycle to and from work.
Ban away but he won’t be able to intubate you unless you expect him to walk 17 miles to work?

YABU

Cycling with older children is keeping me sane. Healthy, fun and easy to stay away from other people. I live in a rural area and hardly see anyone.

Oh do fuck off.

Really.

Fuck off.

@Tellmetruth4 I have zero issues with cyclists in general. However I went for a walk today to the local park and what is usually happening is cyclists and runners are trying to squeeze in between people. Walkers can stop and wait for other person to pass. Cyclists and runners don’t usually do that. I have no issues whatsoever with people cycling to work though. They are cycling on the road most of the time

YAB ridiculous !
Its essential transport for many workers and a form of exercise.
Mind your own business !

By the way, if you join Cycle UK you get cycle insurance included.