Cycling in the time of Corona

There are three forumengers who are parliamentary researchers that I know of. I'm sure there are more.

withdrawal of a privilege.

I understand where you are coming from, but basic freedoms aren't 'privileges' and shouldn't be described as such. We are all having basic freedoms curtailed, most of which is necessary, but framing the debate in terms of 'privileges' really is the first step on the road to serfdom.

Repeated statements from the government that if people continue to stretch the rules, they will be tightened

Can you link to one?

https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/michael-gove-tells-joggers-to-limit-exercise-stints-to-30-minutes-amid-coronavirus-lockdown

"I would have thought that for most people, a walk of up to an hour, or a run of 30 minutes or a cycle ride of between that, depending on their level of fitness is appropriate."

Mr Gove said most people were already displaying "common sense" when it came to following social distancing guidelines.

But he warned that tighter curbs could be brought into force if people fail to follow the Government's orders.

Fair point. Although it'll feel like a privilege when/if exercise is cut to a half hour walk each day and no cycling. Or further, like in Italy

The fact that you guys seem to think I'm attacking your opinions shows you still don't get it.

For a variety of reasons, the government
temporarily banning recreational cycling would be a popular move in certain red top reading circles. It would be a show of authority against a group that society loves to grumble about .Even if we all know/suspect that going out for a 40km spin isn't likely to hurt anybody compared to a run in the park

Guess it is only rational then to push as much against the envelope now when I have a chance as no matter what I do restrictions will increase.

I was limiting rides to once every two days, now there seems no point.

The problem is that when there are easily identifiable groups that contain people taking the piss (ie an acquaintance of mine who told me he was doing centuries in Regent’s Park, could be bullshit of course) then it’s easy to ban them as a warning.

How would you police that anyway?

Folk still commuting by bike etc. Tone down the double disc Tri rig and say you were delivering vital medicines to your mother who lives 50km away and there would be little scope for objection.

Shhhhh! They're reading this!

I understand where you are coming from, but basic freedoms aren't 'privileges' and shouldn't be described as such. We are all having basic freedoms curtailed, most of which is necessary, but framing the debate in terms of 'privileges' really is the first step on the road to serfdom.

Exactly that. Spot on.

And for the record, I'm only being so consistent on this because I'm trying to warn you guys.

Thanks for the warning, it changes absolutely fucking nothing. If they decide to take more of our rights away, that is their decision and entirely on their head. I absolutely hate this narrative that we now all have to somehow proactively limit ourselves further than what is required just in case some authoritarian git decides that some people are still having too much fun out there.

Trust me, the police don't want to be enforcing this but they're required to and feedback up the chain the nature of the "abuses" to the guidelines they encounter. At which point somebody at the home office gets to say "our officers have had to speak to more cyclists than any other identifiable group" and it snowballs from there.

As I said this morning. If cycling for recreation isn't restricted within 14 days, I'll donate £20 to the forum.

Guess it is only rational then to push as much against the envelope now when I have a chance as no matter what I do restrictions will increase

Isn't that exactly the mentality that has lead to the perception of cyclists breaking the guidelines being a problem in the first place?

It's people on bikes.

Some with more respect for advisory guidelines than others, but not any difference from any other group.

Yesterday I saw a guy with a pram and a two small kids look at the taped up gate to the playpark and lift his kids over the fence. My neighbours stood gassing over the fence for an hour, less than 2m apart. I saw a couple of jakeys drinking on a park bench.

By your standards the police are going to ban all outdoor activities, for everyone, and not because a few cyclists are doing a 4 hour solo ride instead of a 1 hr one.

In my personal situation it is the only option you've left me.

By your standards the police are going to ban all outdoor activities, for everyone, and not because a few cyclists are doing a 4 hour solo ride instead of a 1 hr one.

My standards? I disagree. They will go after the easiest group to identify.

In my personal situation it is the only option you've left me

Yeah, I really don't care if you go for a bike ride. Just wanted to warn the forum that the actions of a small minority are going to ruin it for others.

It wont affect me so it has no importance to me personally.

What's really weird is if you watch the clip, he makes no such warning

Perception is the key here - it doesn't matter what you think the risk is.
Reminds me of something posted in the mega COVID thread.

My mate in Spain can’t go out for a cycle but he can walk his dog:

”Apparently, dog walking is allowed but only one human per dog. However, there's a suggestion that parents with kids who are all stuck indoors might start to resent the dog walkers. As a result, you have to maintain a sombre expression throughout.”

Citation: https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/343003/?offset=5150#comment15158035

Perception is the key here - it doesn't matter what you think the risk is.

So true as in much of this. The fact that this is still being debated here (circular discussion) shows the complexity of this issue with so many different strands:

Cycling as a transgressive activity for many people (still)
Fuzzy link to science in the politics (though improving)
(linked to ^) Freedom in the light of dictats
Cycling as sport or transport
Risk assessment of riding a cycle (even 'on here' the concern about crashing is OTT)

and more...

The dog thing is a good example.

Royal parks have banned dog walking off lead. Will that reduce infections? I doubt it.

Are people pissed? Yes. What will happen if people breach the rules? Park gets closed for everybody.

Spot on.

Banning dogs being off leads is another madness

Genuinely bemused by that one. Even less evidence than the need to restrict cycling!