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What do the new lockdown ‘groups of 6’ rules mean for cyclists?

No-one knows. Yet. Here's why…...

There’s much debate today over what new lockdown rules will mean for cycling. In England, six friends or relatives will be able to gather in parks and gardens from Monday if they remain two metres apart. Some have taken this as a green light for ‘socially distanced group rides’.

The general consensus seems to be that this still isn't responsible, but we’re running a poll on our live blog and at the time of writing 25 per cent of respondents said they will be organising a socially distanced group ride.

> Covidiots? Lancashire cyclists snapped on group ride contrary to lockdown rules

Even without getting into whether or not Boris Johnson’s comments about gardens and parks were intended to apply to public roads as well, we have to ask how easy is it for a group of six cyclists to maintain a two-metre distance from one another?

Factor in traffic; other riders’ lines, speeds and braking intentions; and almost certainly varying attitudes to social distancing in the group and it starts to seem like a fairly tall order. It’s also worth pointing out that cyclists should almost certainly be keeping much more than two metres away from each other.

As with almost everything to do with the slowly shifting lockdown guidance, it’s an unexpectedly thorny area, so we got in touch with British Cycling and Cycling UK. Both said they were currently in the process of updating their guidance, having only learned of the changes when the rest of us did, yesterday evening.

Cycling UK did however emphasise that the ‘groups of six’ guidance covers England only.

In Scotland riding in a group could be possible if that group is made up of two households, with eight people now allowed to meet outside at once.

In Wales things are more restricted still, with two households allowed to meet, but only within a five mile radius of their homes.

One thing is certain however: the rules haven’t changed for this coming weekend.

Duncan Dollimore, Cycling UK’s head of campaigns, said: “As of Friday 29 May, the current guidance for people cycling in England is clear: you are only allowed to ride alone, with members of your household, or with one other person who is not a member of your household provided social distancing is maintained.

“This might change on Monday 01 June following the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday on groups of up six people from different households meeting. Until then, the current guidance applies, which Cycling UK advises all cyclists to observe, pending publication of any revised guidance.”

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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11 comments

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kevvjj | 3 years ago
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It is fine to cycle in a group of six according to this from the gov website:

1.5 If I can socially distance, can I play sport with someone I don’t live with? What about tennis / croquet / cricket / Frisbee?

From Monday 1 June, you can exercise or play sport in groups of up to six people from other households, but should only do so where it is possible to maintain a two metre gap from those you do not live with.

For example: this means you should not play contact sports like rugby or football with anyone outside your household, but tennis would be ok as long as you aren’t doubles partners. Any equipment that is used should be cleaned frequently, especially if it is used by someone else.

And if you are showing coronavirus symptoms, or if you or any of your household are self-isolating, you should stay at home - this is critical to staying safe and saving lives.

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TrevA | 3 years ago
2 likes

Are Jockeys going to be keeping 2 metres apart as they go around the race track? Explain the difference between a group of jockeys riding and a group of cyclists riding. Also, there's a 1 in 1000 chance of meeting someone who has the virus. Half of those who have it are inside a care home, so that increases the odds to 1 in 2000. The chances of catching Covid on the group ride of 6 people are very low indeed.

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bikeman01 | 3 years ago
3 likes

Let's face it, no one knows anymore. There's no one place we can check what is and isn't allowed. Whoever's doing the daily briefing makes it up as they go along.

The rules used to be clear but ever since each part of the UK started doing their own thing and we all started interpreting the rules to suit ourselves, it's all gone to shit.

But it's all suported by the science, unfortunately, they all seem to disagree with each other.

 

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BIRMINGHAMisaDUMP | 3 years ago
2 likes

 'In England, six friends or relatives will be able to gather in parks and gardens from Monday if they remain two metres apart'

Er, has anyone actually been to a park in the past three months? People have been doing all of the above and more anyway. 

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RoryLydiate replied to BIRMINGHAMisaDUMP | 3 years ago
0 likes

And with no clear sign of any infections

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Zigster replied to RoryLydiate | 3 years ago
1 like

 Not sure if that's a joke.

We're still getting approx 2,000 new infections per day despite social distancing rules. Where are they all coming from.

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Gelphyn | 3 years ago
1 like

We need to face up to the facts that cycling with anyone other than a member of the same household, while following Government Guidelines, barely achieves the objective.

Firstly 'side by side' 2 metres apart, factoring in the need to keep clear of damaged tarmac edges, could easily place the offside rider on the wrong side of the road.

Secondly it is essential to consider what the 'scientific advice' seems to have omitted? The velocity of the bodies involved and wind speed-direction. Have any Wind Tunnel tests have been carried out? This points to the fact that a nice clean 2 metre sphere around the offending body is inadequate.

Thirdly the economy is going to pressure the return to work. Already the overcrowding of Public Transport and some Cycleways are likely to prove problematic. How many ‘established’ cyclists want to be forced to wear some form of PPE?

Lastly the Government have to find solution(s) to Pandemics like Covid 19, and the current cycling increase is likely to decrease with the arrival of inclement weather. No condition is permanent.

We must keep Pandemics under control in order for survival of the human race. The UK can be to a large extent ‘insulated’ from external effects. From a cycling POV ‘Covidiots’ and Group Ride Organisation, at this time, needs to be strongly discouraged. We need to find ways to enable cycling, as we know it, to continue without increasing health risks. The alternative is for Legislation. Of course there is little point in the latter unless it is enforced.

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CStar | 3 years ago
0 likes

Why the delay? nothing is going to change between now and Monday.

The whole 'unlocking' process is chaotic and no one knows what they can and can't do.  Sadly because we are a targetted group by the media and bigotted idiots in cars, we have to behave better than best, so will grit my teeth for 3 more days before going out with some friends on Monday. What was that famous phrase? Omnishambles.

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bikeman01 replied to CStar | 3 years ago
1 like

I'm puzzelled as to what is changing.

Today I am able to go to the park and sit 2 mtrs from a familly of 6 that I don't know. 

On monday I will be able to sit 2 mtrs from 6 family or friends.

Is the big deal that family and friends somehow are more risky than strangers even at 2 mtrs?

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Sriracha replied to bikeman01 | 3 years ago
1 like

That's what I don't understand either. I always thought that social distancing meant you kept 2m away from other people. All people, the lot of them.

As far as I can see the only thing that has changed is that whereas you still need to stay at least 2m away from absolutely everybody outside your household, up to five of those people can now be family and friends. Uh?

So presumably any other family/friends must not be at least 2m away. Nor any closer, of course. I suppose you could disown them?

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mattw replied to CStar | 3 years ago
0 likes

The number of people with the disease is changing...

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