Sally Eva

The "keep your distance" advice applies outdoors. There is a Chris Whitty lecture (at Gresham College) https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/covid-19 in which he says people are probably safe one metre apart but two is recommended because two is better. I know we are all "using our own judgement" nowadays and damn everyone else but OTOH it's nice to be nice.

The daftest one (heard from one of a group of 3 well-spoken but unrelated people) "I don't know of anyone who has died of it" Dismissing the world-wide epidemic and all the news from the last two months with a personal anecdote. There you go, it can't be happening.

Southwark Cyclists is the local group of the London Cycling Campaign. They did a lot of work on bike parking and the main campaigner wrote this which might be useful https://southwarkcyclists.org.uk/campaigns/how-to-get-secure-cycle-parking-on-your-street/

People want to cycle but need help. If you are a key worker (and lots of people are) then cycle confident can help you. They are free, try here: https://www.cycleconfident.com/ If you are not a key worker but trying to deal with government advice to go back to work but not to use public transport, then you could email [email protected] or your local councillor and ask that cycle confident's service be opened up wider. The council will be insanely busy at the moment and likely won't think of this tweak spontaneously but you can jog their minds :)

If you have symptoms you can get proper tests. Try here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-for-coronavirus/ask-for-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/ We had them because we are over 65 (both negative, then at any rate).

bels123 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > We?re really enjoying quieter roads and have been > able to cycle as a family for the first time. > Covered quite some ground with the decent > infrastructure closer to London. > > Can anyone recommend a good cycle route app - > Google maps took us onto main roads this weekend > 😬 Google maps is so hopeless it's quite funny. Try cycle.travel. I find it easier to use than cyclestreets https://www.cyclestreets.net/ or Citymapper https://citymapper.com/london?set_region=uk-london (I haven't used this one).

All the hire bikes are heavy to discourage people from stealing them. this is a comparison site https://londonist.com/london/transport/ranking-all-of-london-s-hire-bikes From ED an electric bike would be an excellent idea for starting off.

Southwark is looking for comments and suggestions on protecting pedestrians and restraining pollution from cars after lockdown. Make your suggestion here: https://www.southwark.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/public-health/for-the-public/coronavirus/impact-on-council-services/coronavirus-help-us-combat-covid-19-by-suggesting-healthier-streets?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

what you need is this consultation/request for comment on protecting pedestrians during CV. https://www.southwark.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/public-health/for-the-public/coronavirus/impact-on-council-services/coronavirus-help-us-combat-covid-19-by-suggesting-healthier-streets?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term= It covers Pros and cons of lockdown from public health POV. "The streets are now quieter and safer with more people choosing to walk and cycle and greater use of local shops and parks. People are more aware of pollution; their health and quality of life issues, and the lockdown seems to have encouraged a new spirit of localism." but "there has been an increase in people driving their cars at excessive speeds. This is dangerous for everyone and deters people from walking and cycling. People are also concerned about using public transport for fear of catching COVID-19. Therefore, as travel restrictions are lifted, we're likely to see more people choosing to drive rather than use the train or bus than before the lockdown. This will greatly increase air pollution (motor vehicles are responsible for more than half of the air pollution in London) which could further impact those recovering from COVID-19." Comments and suggestions here https://www.southwark.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/public-health/for-the-public/coronavirus/impact-on-council-services/coronavirus-help-us-combat-covid-19-by-suggesting-healthier-streets?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

Sorry to resurrect this old thread but there was a discussion on here about how airborne CV was. Here is some more info https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-coronavirus-spreads-through-the-air-what-we-know-so-far1/

For anyone thinking of cycling (maybe while the roads are quieter) -- short, safe rides around Southwark. Like this one: "To celebrate our new found freedom to exercise as much as we want, a new route, Camberwell Open Spaces. It starts centrally in Peckham Square next to Peckham Library. 6 miles and not quite flat. A circular route more or less staying in Camberwell. It runs through a series of open spaces, some large like Burgess Park, some very small like Elam Street Open Space and Sceaux Gardens. In between always on quiet streets. Choose a sunny day if you can and enjoy our beautiful parks, large and small. Route map at and detailed navigation guide attached. " If you want to see all the 9 of the lockdown routes, they are here: A bit tangled I know. If too tangled DM me and I will get them sorted out.

Friend of mine in that position rides a tricycle (an adult size one obvs) check out Wheels for Wellbeing pictures here: https://wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/ NewWave Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Sue Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > NewWave Wrote: > > > -------------------------------------------------- > > > ---- > > > > > > > > > Its a real worry..I dont drive can't ride a > > bike > > > and aged over 60 I dont want to try and learn > > on > > > Londons roads. > > > > > > Obviously they aren't happening at the moment, > but > > you can get free cycling lessons. They are one > to > > one, and they start off in the park (Dulwich > or > > Peckham Rye). I can't remember who runs them. > > > > I was well over 6O when I had them. > > > > Also, there are routes through London which > enable > > you to avoid the busiest main roads and > > interchanges (not sure that's the right word!) > > > I really cannot ride a bike-not only am I scared > to but I have problems with my balance so wobbling > across london is not an option I'm afraid even > though I wish it was

Free cycle lessons are happening now -- currently key workers only but in the longer term (whatever that is) for everyone https://www.cycleconfident.com/ Glad you enjoyed them :) Sue Wrote: > you can get free cycling lessons. They are one to > one, and they start off in the park (Dulwich or > Peckham Rye). I can't remember who runs them. > > I was well over 6O when I had them. > > Also, there are routes through London which enable > you to avoid the busiest main roads and > interchanges (not sure that's the right word!)

If you are seriously considering cycling, do not consider necessarily doing it on the roads you see through the bus window. I commute to Paddington (when I am allowed to) and only about 100m of that journey is on public roads shared with cars (FWIW I mostly walk that bit) for alternative routes which are bike friendly try cycle.travel or DM me and I'll send an alternative route. ED to Central London is an easy, mostly off-road cycle taking me 40 mins (I'm very old and slow). Google Cycleway 7 to see what I'm talking about. The route from ED does contain a hill :( Monkey Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Agree, Gromit. Walking to work would take me two > hours and 30mns according to Google maps. And I?m. > It getting on a bike after the crazy driving I?ve > seen this weekend...

In that spirit Gov.uk today? ?2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking includes? https://www.gov.uk/government/news/2-billion-package-to-create-new-era-for-cycling-and-walking?utm_source=cde539b3-ac15-4d45-8e16-68d2a7ca7db6&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate Fast-tracked statutory guidance, published today and effective immediately, will tell councils to reallocate roadspace for significantly-increased numbers of cyclists and pedestrians. In towns and cities, some streets could become bike and bus-only while others remain available for motorists. More side streets could be closed to through traffic, to create low-traffic neighbourhoods and reduce rat-running while maintaining access for vehicles. Vouchers will be issued for cycle repairs, to encourage people to get their old bikes out of the shed, and plans are being developed for greater provision of bike fixing facilities. Many more will take up the Cycle to Work scheme, which gives employees a discount on a new bike.

This is a Chris Whitty lecture on Covid. Dry but highly informative.

I should inform the police and the park-keepers. I don't want to belittle the pain and trauma for your dog but the Husky may do this to a child.

malumbu Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Watch/listen to the video. It explains it really > well. Cooping people up 24/7 does harm, unless > you are fortunate enough to be in a large house > with extensive grounds. The key message is stay > inside, which is being echoed by those most > closely associated with the crisis. Stay inside > with the exception of essential journeys, for > food, and for health reasons, including exercise. > Once a day. In your essential journeys socially > distance, don't use this as excuse to meet up with > friends, play football in the park, sun bathe etc. > You will not get 100% compliance but it's pretty > good. > > By stressing the stay inside this will discourage > the worst abuses. This is a measured balanced > position by government, recognising that we are > not in a police state, and the resources that > would require which can be much better used (and > the danger of civil unrest if we do have more > draconian restrictions). > > If you want to stay inside 25/7 fine. Please stop > demonising the rest of us. He is the national clinical director of Scotland. This is the first time I have heard anyone say that mental health and domestic violence referrals have already risen -- predictable but surprising to see it so quickly.

This is not to do with cycling so I am continuing to derail my own thread but Jason Leitch, the national clinical director of Scotland, seems to have comms skills that no one in the UK government has. This is him on the "three harms" the damage of coronavirus, the damage to everyone who has cancer, kidney failure and all other ills who may miss treatment and the damage inflicted by lockdown (mental health, economy, domestic violence) It's the BBC Scotland "everything has a cost" video. The whole thing is interesting.

The Healthy Streets approach is to widen the pavements so that pedestrians have more room and wheelchairs can pass safely. This can be combined with build-outs which stop cars from parking on the built out kerb so that people can cross. first mate Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Bagpuss, it is such a shame the Healthy Streets > campaign could not prioritise work on paving so it > can be brought up to standard throughout ED. Many > of the pavements are in a terrible and even > dhangerous state and this is not acceptable for > anyone with a disability or mobility issues. > > Work of this nature is not as politically ?sexy? > as some of the other campaigns but would make a > huge difference to people like you. In terms of > equality and the rights of disabled people to > access and use pavements you wonder how the > council has managed to get away with such poor > upkeep and management of vital infrastructure for > so long? > > Why not lobby your councillor? Ex Councillor Robin > (rch on here) would help you.

Maybe we could agree on this: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do 1. When am I allowed to leave the house? You should only leave the house for very limited purposes: shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household any medical need, including to donate blood, avoid or escape risk of injury or harm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person travelling for work purposes, but only where you cannot work from home

https://www.bindmans.com/news/government-guidance-changed-to-permit-people-with-specific-health-needs-to-exercise-outside-more-than-once-a-day-and-to-travel-to-do-so-where-necessary The medical guidance on exercise during lockdown has changed (see above) this won't affect everyone but it will be very important for those it does. It now says: You can leave your home for medical need. If you (or a person in your care) have a specific health condition that requires you to leave the home to maintain your health - including if that involves travel beyond your local area - then you can do so. This could, for example, include where individuals with learning disabilities or autism require specific exercise in an open space two or three times each day - ideally in line with a care plan agreed with a medical professional. Lambeth Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Team (based at SLAM) are providing letters supportive of medical need. I don't know if Southwark has an equivalent. Follows threat of legal action. Any doctor will do (or none)

https://www.bindmans.com/news/government-guidance-changed-to-permit-people-with-specific-health-needs-to-exercise-outside-more-than-once-a-day-and-to-travel-to-do-so-where-necessary It now says You can leave your home for medical need. If you (or a person in your care) have a specific health condition that requires you to leave the home to maintain your health - including if that involves travel beyond your local area - then you can do so. This could, for example, include where individuals with learning disabilities or autism require specific exercise in an open space two or three times each day - ideally in line with a care plan agreed with a medical professional. Lambeth Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Team (based at SLAM) are providing these letters. I don't know if Southwark has an equivalent. Follows threat of legal action.

Thank you my lovely ones. You've made an old woman very happy. Stay safe and look after yourselves (and other people)

In the new world of lockdown, some people are thinking of beginning to cycle. There are many reasons why a person might want to cycle for the first time. If that's you, post here or DM me. I shall not inquire into your personal reasons. I shall try and help you. Key workers (guidance here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision can get free cycle training from cycle confident https://www.cycleconfident.com/ I belong to Southwark Cyclists who are the borough branch of the London Cycling Campaign. Our website is here [southwarkcyclists.org.uk]. Our email address is [email protected]. If we can assist you, just let us know.