Jump to content

Recommended Posts

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://cycleconfident.com/covid19/


There are many other reasons why people might wish to cycle as their form of permitted exercise. I belong to Southwark Cyclists who are the borough branch of the London Cycling Campaign. Our website is here https://southwarkcyclists.org.uk. Our email address is [email protected]. If we can assist you, just let us know.

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/251338-east-dulwich-new-cyclists/
Share on other sites

sometimes riding on pavements is permitted and will be marked as permitted. But it should always be considerate.


Not stopping at pedestrian red lights is not permitted and never considerate.


-------------------------------------------------------

> And please don't ride on the pavements or go

> through red lights on pedestrian crossings - I

> know its scary at times, but please remember those

> of us on foot too!

It is a very generous offer and clearly well intentioned.


I normally cycle but am now wondering if this is wise? Groups of cyclists stopping at lights etc may not be a good thing in terms of social distancing. If you are cycling you will probably be panting at some point. If only few cyclists probably okay but if cycling increases to avoid public transport then not so sure this is a good idea while C19 is a major threat to public health?

CV is not airborne so panting shouldn't be a problem. I find Jason Leitch CMO of Scotland good and I hope that a clip of him saying "the virus is not airborne" is here:

at about 2.51, it's their pinned tweet.


Essential workers are essential and this is mostly about them. These are to help someone get to St George's Tooting for example.

https://cycle.travel/map/journey/145302



either should help someone who wants to cycle to stay alive. Clearly there is a faster alternative for anyone who is OK with CS7 which will probably be more crowded. That is here: https://cycle.travel/map/journey/145192


Southwark Cyclists have cancelled our social rides because of a fear that regular riders will find social distancing difficult. I'm with you on the dangers........

It is not thought to be airborne over long distances but short distances they are not so sure. So, even on bicycles, people should keep a good distance from one another.See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-control/control-recommendations.html

The majority of people (essential workers excepted as stated above) should now be working from home and not going out except for groceries and other essentials (arguably that includes exercise and walking pets).


The roads should be mostly clear but they aren't - Loads of traffic & everybody beeping at each other.

Where is everyone going.

The CDC report seems to be talking about medical facilities caring for seriously ill patients rather than people out in the open air.


However, there does seem to be ambiguity about precisely what "airborne" means. This is only Wired so a journalistic summary of the arguement: https://www.wired.com/story/they-say-coronavirus-isnt-airborne-but-its-definitely-borne-by-air/


"Notably, while the joint WHO-China mission report published in late-February said that although airborne particles were ?not believed to be a major driver of transmission,? it noted that such a mode ?can be envisaged if certain aerosol-generating procedures are conducted in health care facilities.?


Julian Tang and his colleagues have created a visualization of the breaths exchanged by two people in conversation standing three feet apart. Most of the time, the puffs of air they let out remain separate; but portions of their exhalations do sneak from each person?s breathing space into the other?s.


"Given all this uncertainty, some experts say there needs to be better public messaging on the spread of the new coronavirus. ?Crowded public transport where people can breathe on each other may also lead to transmission of infection,? Tang says, echoing public-health advice that, while widespread, may not be getting as much emphasis as hand-washing. Milton agrees, adding that it might be wise to shut off air-recirculation systems in cars, which could potentially spread the pathogen among passengers."


I agree that the big crowds of cyclists on the superhighways queuing at the lights wouldn't fit a definition of "social distancing". The truth as always seems more nuanced than appears at first glance.

Hi Sally, yes the CDC advice is directed to medical facilities but, as you conclude, the explanation indicates that C19 can be airborne at short distance, especially with propulsion (coughing, sneezing, forceful exhalation - panting). Outside, breezes can carry exhaled droplets further thereby aiding possibility of infection.


Given people can be asymptomatic while infectious I think the risks are clear. Any group activity, whether cycling, walking, jogging is currently too high risk. I also think 2m may not enough in terms of social distancing.


Agree the point about air recirculation in cars and this had occurred to me. This whole thing is a minefield!

first mate Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> So, ?escape to the country?, whether in car,

> camper van or, for a more extended period, to

> one?s second home (for those fortunate to have

> one), is also massively irresponsible.


Seems so - and Caravan Parks etc. are being closed (unless they are of use to NHS etc.)


Example https://www.devonlive.com/news/uk-caravan-motorhome-club-close-3973349


If you have a proper bricks and mortar second home I suppose no-one at the moment can stop people going there - not sure how many people do.

I think the fear is pressure on local resources whether food or NHS.


Also, given a part of the population is currently asymptomatic but highly infectious and London are two weeks ahead, then anyone travelling out risks spreading infection. Of course, those in second homes may be intending not to go out at all for the duration. However, to make that achievable they will have had to stockpile- still not a ?good look?.

Speaking to a friend in a remote part of the country, Londoners are causing significant upset by turning up to their second homes (meaning people in the high risk age bracket) and emptying local stores of stocks in order to stockpile, creating shortages where none previously existed. A lot of local stores now refusing to sell unless you are a full time local resident.

Boris Johnson last night

"That is why people will only be allowed to leave their home for the following very limited purposes:

Shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently 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, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person; and

Travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.

That's all - these are the only reasons you should leave your home."


The roads are emptier but everyone on them seems to be in a very bad temper so, if you are choosing cycling

for exercise then take a look at our social ride routes on line https://southwarkcyclists.org.uk/healthy-rides/healthy-ride-of-the-week/. These should be safe from traffic and social distancing will keep you safe from CV

I'm really enjoying cycling at the moment, much quieter and the sun is wonderful. Might be a nice time to try it out in London. Do be careful though because people aren't necessarily expecting a bicycle coming at the moment so pedestrians stepping out and wandering all over the place! Same for cars whizzing along.


I agree with you Sally Eva about the bad temper thing- this forum is rammed full of finger pointing, judging and blaming!

A friend was trying to buy a bike so she could get out of the house safely and found Halfords had run out.


If anyone in this position wants to buy a bike then Lewisham Cyclists have a couple which they can service, wash with hot soapy water and isopropyl and deliver. They are a charity and would appreciate a donation because they are currently broke.


If that sounds like what you want, DM me and I will put you in touch

Thanks Sally - cycling is great. Others, please do not ambush this thread. Doing my daily walk or cycle every day feels like a Sunday with so little traffic and almost everybody enjoying the outdoors and keeping their distance. Please let us keep this one pleasure and not go down the route of France. Yes, don't drive or get the train out to do your exercise.


Sadly Brenchley gardens, even with much less traffic, still feels like a motorised vehicle race track. But that is an issue for another day.

malumbu Wrote:

>

> Sadly Brenchley gardens, even with much less

> traffic, still feels like a motorised vehicle race

> track. But that is an issue for another day.


There's a now-closed consultation. https://consultations.southwark.gov.uk/environment-leisure/brenchley-gardens-20mph/.

Agghhh, not more traffic calming. Need average speed cameras. I've worked in transport and expect we will have met, but government kowtowing to motorists really pees me off. Once we have a culture of speed cameras it will be like the ban in smoking in pubs and restaurants, within a few weeks it will be normal and the world will be a better place for it.


As this is a thread aimed at new cyclists a time to remind all of us on assertive positioning, primary where possible (in in the middle of the available space on our lane). The one place where primary is difficult is the Brenchley Gardens race track. Dunno when Southwark did the speed survey, 26mph as they report would be a decent result. I expect the people doping the survey had hi-vis on with a big sign up saying that they were monitoring speed. Or they did it based on a sample of one very careful driver. My experience is 50mph.

malumbu Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Today's route over to Greewich and Blackheath,

> through the park. Fairly empty - I think the cold

> is putting people off coming outside. You can

> combine parts of Waterlink Way.

>

> https://www.letsride.co.uk/routes/greenwich-blackh

> eath


Thanks for sharing


I was doing 16 miles a day commuting to and from work, so I?m really missing that mileage. Might do that route tomorrow.


I worry about being too far from home in case of being in breach of the rules though?

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • “There was an excellent discussion on Newscast last night between the BBC Political Editor, the director of the IFS and the director of More In Common - all highly intelligent people with no party political agenda ” I would call this “generous”   Labour should never have made that tax promise because, as with - duh - Brexit, it’s pretending the real world doesn’t exist now. I blame Labour in no small part for this delusion. But the electorate need to cop on as well.  They think they can have everything they want without responsibilities, costs or attachments. The media encourage this  Labour do need to raise taxes. The country needs it.  Now, exactly how it’s done remains to be seen. But if people are just going to go around going “la la laffer curve. Liars! String em up! Vote someone else” then they just aren’t serious people reckoning with the problem yes Labour are more than a year into their term, but after 14 years of what the Tories  did? Whoever takes over, has a major problem 
    • Messaging, messaging, messaging. That's all it boils down to. There are only so many fiscal policies out there, and they're there for the taking, no matter which party you're in. I hate to say it, but Farage gets it right every time. Even when Reform reneges on fiscal policy, it does it with enough confidence and candidness that no one is wringing their hands. Instead, they're quietly admired for their pragmatism. Strangely, it's exactly the same as Labour has done, with its manifesto reverse on income tax, but it's going to bomb.  Blaming the Tories / Brexit / Covid / Putin ... none of it washes with the public anymore  - it wants to be sold a vision of the future, not reminded of the disasters of the past. Labour put itself on the back foot with its 'the tories fucked it all up' stance right at the beginning of its tenure.  All Lammy had to do (as with Reeves and Raynor etc) was say 'mea culpa. We've made a mistake, we'll fix it. Sorry guys, we're on it'. But instead it's 'nothing to see here / it's someone else's fault / I was buying a suit / hadn't been briefed yet'.  And, of course, the press smells blood, which never helps.  Oh! And Reeve's speech on Wednesday was so drab and predictable that even the journalists at the press conference couldn't really be arsed to come up with any challenging questions. 
    • Niko 07818 607 583 has been doing jobs for us for several years, he is reliable, always there for us, highly recommended! 
    • I am keeping my fingers crossed the next few days are not so loud. I honestly think it is the private, back garden displays that are most problematic as, in general, there is no way of knowing when and where they might happen. For those letting off a few bangers in the garden I get it is tempting to think what's the harm in a few minutes of 'fun', but it is the absolute randomness of sudden bangs that can do irreparable damage to people and animals. With organised events that are well advertised there is some forewarning at least, and the hope is that organisers of such events can be persuaded to adopt and make a virtue of using only low noise displays in future.
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...