Do Not Ban Bicycling In Covid-19 Crackdown, Industry Urges U.K. Government

Britain’s industry body for bicycling has impressed on Prime Minister Boris Johnson—an everyday cyclist before he moved into 10 Downing Street—that cycling is a “special case” and bike shops should be exempted from any imminent shop closures imposed to halt the spread of novel coronavirus, or Covid-19.

“Cycling is an important part of U.K. resilience against the coronavirus,” the executive director of the Bicycle Association told me.

“It enables travel without using public transport, and in relative isolation. It also allows people to keep exercising without using gyms or going to classes.”

Italy and Spain have already imposed restrictions on leisure cycling, including sport cycling. Transport cycling is still allowed, but the position on the ground is confused—Spanish newspaper El País reports that some police officers in Madrid have been stopping all cyclists, including those riding to work and shops.

In France, “exercising alone”—including cycling—is still allowed, but President Macron said on March 15 that “war with the coronavirus” could lead to more draconian measures being imposed on road transport soon.

The Spanish government’s crackdown on cycling is to prevent crashes that might result in hospitalization, putting a strain on an already creaking pressurized health service.

“If you go out cycling and have an accident, your health care will have a very negative impact on a healthcare system that is on the verge of collapse,” states Spanish government advice.

Those caught flouting the ban in Spain face fines starting at €100, and leisure cyclists risk a year in prison should they “resist or seriously disobey the authorities or officers when they are carrying out their functions.”

Britain’s Bicycle Association, along with cycle advocacy organizations Cycling UK and Sustrans, has written to the Prime Minister stressing the “role bicycles can play in maintaining transport resilience, as well as fitness and wellbeing.”

The joint letter continues: “Cycling is a low-risk form of transport as regards virus infection, and can provide essential mobility, including for last-mile deliveries. We are urging that in light of the important role bike shops play in keeping cycles on the road, the Government should consider exempting them from any blanket shop closures.”

Bicycle Association executive director Steve Garidis is eager to learn whether the U.K. government plans to bail out airlines and other companies in sectors impacted by coronavirus mitigation measures.

“Cycling, like other sectors, has important production, services, skills, and jobs to protect,” Gardidis stated.

“We’re by no means unique there, particularly in the retail sector. But we think it’s important to ensure bike shops stay open as a first step. They provide an important service, and this starts to help protect their businesses.”

Referring to an expected business support statement from the Chancellor of the Exchequer on March 17, Garidis added: “The government will certainly need to do more to protect businesses in general.”