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Cycling UK urges government to give clarity on new lockdown cycling rules

National cycling charity calls for guidance on length and duration of rides ahead of revised regulations taking effect in England from Thursday

Cycling UK has called on the government to give clarity on how the revised National Restrictions for England, announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday and due to take effect on Thursday, will affect cyclists.

As we reported earlier today, under the latest rules designed to contain the spread of the coronavirus, cycling will be permitted for journeys such as commuting or essential shopping, as well as for daily exercise.

> What the new lockdown rules mean for YOU as a cyclist in England

The latter will only be permitted with members of your household or support bubble or, if you are on your own, with one other person who does not live with you, with the new rules more restrictive than the current “rule of six” regime.

But as in the nationwide lockdown earlier this year, to date there is little clarity on whether there is a limit on how long you can exercise for, or how far you can travel from home while undertaking it.

Alex Cuppleditch, Cycling UK’s head of volunteering, told road.cc: “As we prepare for a second lockdown in England, as per the earlier lockdown, cycling is still a legal and encouraged activity across the UK.

“With the new lockdown in England, there are still a number of question marks around issues such as amount of times and length of ride, which Cycling UK hopes to have the answer to in the coming days and will ensure is reflected via our advice pages for both groups and individuals.”

She added: “Cycling is still a safe and recommended activity, if public health advice is followed.

“Cycling UK is encouraging everyone out riding to respect and adhere to the guidelines across each of the home nations – if unsure what that means, check our website or road.cc for the latest updates.”

Later this week, once the latest set of regulations in England has passed through Parliament, we will be revising and republishing our article from earlier this year explaining exactly what the rules are in England, Scotland and Wales, and how they differ in each country.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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34 comments

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check12 | 3 years ago
1 like

What a bunch of punctured inner tubes 

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huntswheelers | 3 years ago
1 like

Last time there was an unwritten rule of "one hour per day" exercise....this time it was announce by the Blonde clown that "Unlimited Outside Exercise" was allowed....now last time .....many of my customers were heading out on their one exercise per day.....like 3-5 hrs out there...and this week many who are now back in lockdown and WFH from Thursday have asked for their bikes and indoor trainers to be checked/serviced....a few are looking for some long day winter rides...could be good for training but what about feeding was my comments to them....still more work coming in on top of the service book already  well filled...... whatever you do....stay safe and get out there..... solo or meeting with another cycle buddy.... However last time...I was out with one cycle buddy when that was allowed then passed 2 other groups of 2 who we rode with previously, unbeknown we were out on the same roads.....then we became the Rule of Six group....until this week....lol..... 

 

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wycombewheeler replied to huntswheelers | 3 years ago
1 like

huntswheelers wrote:

.. but what about feeding was my comments to them....

Possible to carry enough calories for a 100mile ride, no problem. Cake stops are not essential, although highly desirable. Carrying water is normally the limitation, but now we are into the colder weather that gets a little easier.

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CheshireBoy1966 | 3 years ago
0 likes

This may sound a stupid question but just how does the Government or who ever knows how long you've been out, where you've been or come from? I certainly have no intention to giving them details of my rides! That's private stuff! This where the whole system is just a complete waste of time, no thought at all has been put into it! Any opinions?

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markieteeee replied to CheshireBoy1966 | 3 years ago
1 like

They don't. The rules are based on trust and not enforced.  

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eburtthebike replied to CheshireBoy1966 | 3 years ago
3 likes

CheshireBoy1966 wrote:

This may sound a stupid question but just how does the Government or who ever knows how long you've been out, where you've been or come from? I certainly have no intention to giving them details of my rides! That's private stuff! This where the whole system is just a complete waste of time, no thought at all has been put into it! Any opinions?

Who cares?  If you get stopped, just put your Cummings mask on.

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wycombewheeler | 3 years ago
7 likes

It would have been better for cyling UK to make a statement that bike riding of any time/distance is allowed, but point out that rides should be self sufficient with no stopping to buy food or drink, and put that position to the government.

Whatever arbitrary numbers come back, you can guarantee that some people would have wanted to ride further. 2 hours / 30 miles sounds like quite a long distance to non cyclists, but most cyclist would consider it a short ride

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Awavey replied to wycombewheeler | 3 years ago
0 likes

This is the slippery slope though, I dont agree you should be stopped from buying food or drink either,albeit drinking sources can be found if you listen to old audaxers.

But if I'm allowed to drive,and theres no set distance,to a supermarket to buy essential food (among other things) why could I not go shopping for essential food on my bike ? because I mucked up my nutrition & bonked,or my household partner were diabetic & needed something sugary real quick.

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ktache replied to wycombewheeler | 3 years ago
0 likes

What, no emergency stopping at a garage for overpriced emergency water?

And not forgetting the need for "fuel"

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TrevA replied to wycombewheeler | 3 years ago
1 like

Why do rides have to be non-stop? Cafes are open for takeaways, so you can have a quick coffee and a bit of flapjack to fuel your ride.

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Kenleybianchi | 3 years ago
0 likes

Sorry - I stand corrected. They do seem to have read the rules after all, I just didn't read the way it was drafted carefully enough. My second point still stands though - not a clever bit of campaigning at all!

 

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Kenleybianchi | 3 years ago
5 likes

First of all - if that is what Cycling UK think the rules currently say about who you can meet up with, they haven't read them properly. They say:

You can exercise or visit outdoor public places with the people you live with, your support bubble, or 1 person from another household

..which clearly states that you can ride with someone else even if they are not in your bubble or your family. 

Second of all - I couldn't agree more with most of what is posted here. Why on earth would you ask a question to which you almost certainly do not want the answer? It is pretty unlikely that the govt are going to reply to say, "oh, 5-6 hours and around 100 miles sounds about right to us".

 

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Trickedem | 3 years ago
11 likes

I'm very unhappy at Cycling UK for this bizarre bit of campaigning and they really didn't think this through at all. The last time this question was posed to Michael Gove, he said something along the lines of 30 minutes to an hour.

Cycling can really help with mental and physical health and there is absolutely no reason at all that the activity time should be limited.

I suspect that they simply wanted to be seen be making a statement. As a long term member I am going to complain and get them to put some better thought into their campaigning.

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BIRMINGHAMisaDUMP | 3 years ago
4 likes

Go to work, don't go to work, ride your bike to work, stay at home, don't ride your bike, take exercise, go to work, stay at home . . . . . . .

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hawkinspeter replied to BIRMINGHAMisaDUMP | 3 years ago
3 likes

Lukas wrote:

Go to work, don't go to work, ride your bike to work, stay at home, don't ride your bike, take exercise, go to work, stay at home . . . . . . .

STAY ALERT

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eburtthebike replied to hawkinspeter | 3 years ago
3 likes

hawkinspeter wrote:

Lukas wrote:

Go to work, don't go to work, ride your bike to work, stay at home, don't ride your bike, take exercise, go to work, stay at home . . . . . . .

STAY ALERT

NO!  We don't need any more lerts.

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TheBillder replied to BIRMINGHAMisaDUMP | 3 years ago
0 likes
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muhasib | 3 years ago
0 likes

Be aware that other outdoor exercises are not even permitted such as golf, tennis and orienteering despite extensive mitigation of any risk factors by those taking part and extreme frustration at the latest restriction.

Cycling in comparison doesn't seem to be assessed as any risk - just get on with it!

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wycombewheeler replied to muhasib | 3 years ago
3 likes

muhasib wrote:

Be aware that other outdoor exercises are not even permitted such as golf, tennis and orienteering despite extensive mitigation of any risk factors by those taking part and extreme frustration at the latest restriction. Cycling in comparison doesn't seem to be assessed as any risk - just get on with it!

orienteering? people can still go out into the woods/open spaces and run/walk to complete a course of their choosing, sure there will be no organised events, but I would expect all sportives to be shut down as well.

I don't see much justification for shutting down golf, they could close the club house, and keep the courses open with onine bookings golf seems ideal for complying with the excercise alone, with people from your household or one other restrictions.

Yes we would like to get on with it, but cycling UK have asked this question and the risk is the reponse will come back as 1 hour or 2 hours

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muhasib replied to wycombewheeler | 3 years ago
0 likes

The procedures in golf have been to arrive ready changed with shared facilities such as changing rooms closed and social distancing observed on the course.
Orienteering used the example of golf to explain their sport to government to get permission to restart last time and clubs had been organising events of up to 30 people with full preregistration for track and trace and a minute between starters. Given it takes place over a couple of hours in a large outdoor area seems to not incur much risk of infection especially as the sensors used are touch free. There are a few permanent courses but the main activity has always been running a course laid out for that day only.

I suppose the only consolation to take is that beer is 99p a pint in Wetherspoons until they close on Wednesday and what's left is poured away.

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Velovite | 3 years ago
12 likes

If you ask the question, someone in a suit will make up a set of rules for you and they may not be the ones you want hear. Sometimes its better not to ask - just enjoy the freedom of not having any rules.

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eburtthebike | 3 years ago
4 likes

I still haven't worked out the rules before the last rules, but then, does it really matter?  They'll be changed next week to something more logical like; you're only allowed to ride more than 50m from your house if you are a libra and there is a "y" in the month unless your father is on furlough and your sister lives in Grimsby.

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S13SFC | 3 years ago
4 likes

I'll be out doing a century on Saturday.

Fuck em.

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zeeridesbikes replied to S13SFC | 3 years ago
4 likes

That'll show 'em

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Hirsute | 3 years ago
6 likes

Cycle as far as you want, just don't put it on Strava for all and sundry to see.

I don't think the average person has any idea of how far a reasonably fit cyclist can go. I remember the blue fits some were having because cyclists were travelling 12 miles from Sheffield !

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David9694 replied to Hirsute | 3 years ago
3 likes

No 5g and no cyclists here!!

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bgw | 3 years ago
12 likes

From anywhere in the UK to Barnard castle and back, obviously!

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Miller | 3 years ago
19 likes

Oh God, don't even ask the question.

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turnerjohn replied to Miller | 3 years ago
4 likes

Miller wrote:

Oh God, don't even ask the question.

+1 

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Stratman replied to Miller | 3 years ago
8 likes

Miller wrote:

Oh God, don't even ask the question.

Basic rule: never ask a question you don't want an answer to.

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