Cycling and Coronavirus: how do government measures impact cycling for the French, Belgians and Swiss? What safety rules apply to protect yourself from the coronavirus during cycling outings? Update on the situation.
In France
The French government has set up a containment device applying to all citizens compter of Tuesday, March 17, 12 p.m. Gatherings are strictly prohibited, which means that bike races, professional and amateur, are all canceled, as are club training.
The government stipulates that all outings are prohibited except in certain specific and necessary cases, and in particular to “do physical exercise only on an individual basis, around the home and without any gathering. These recommendations are contradictory with the common practice of cycling, over distance and long times.
The Ministry of Transport has however confirmed that you can use your bike "provided that the user is in possession of the duly completed certificate, for travel between home and work, to make purchases of basic necessities, for reasons of health, compelling family reason, court summons, purchase of supplies or participation in a mission of general interest. »
It is therefore possible to take your bike to go shopping, for example.
In Belgium
Despite the confinement imposed since Wednesday March 18, sports activities are still permitted under certain conditions : practice the activity alone, or only with another person living under the same roof or the same friend, and respect a safety distance of at least 1,5 meters. Attention however, it would be necessary in the ideal to remain several meters away compsports agnon, because the expirations are more powerful under the effort and the virus can therefore be projected over a great distance.
It is strongly advised to practice cycling alone and not with someone else, so as not to put yourself or others in danger.
The Prime Minister recommended the practice of a moderate sports activity. Intense practice can weaken the immune system and is therefore not recommended.
In Swiss
Containment has not yet been imposed in Switzerland (as of March 19), but crisis management measures have been taken in various cantons of the country: closure of shops and schools, strong recommendations to stay at home and limit their movements, etc.
The Swiss are therefore free to cycle for the time being, but it is important to respect vital safety rules for the whole population.
In these times of crisis, caution and altruism are required. Even in Switzerland where confinement has not (yet) been declared and in Belgium where sporting activity is still authorized, it is necessary act responsibly. A fall from a bicycle may, for example, require the intervention of emergencies, when these are already overwhelmed by patients with coronavirus.
In France, in 2018, we have comp175 deaths following a bicycle accident, 4328 injured including 1392 hospitalized. In 2019, Switzerland comp2610 slightly injured and 802 seriously injured following a bicycle accident.
Staying at home and limiting the risk of accidents is a sure way to don't overcrowd hospitals. If you still want to exercise in the open air, in Switzerland and Belgium, you must take care to adopt new, healthier habits.
Practicing alone, not spitting on the ground, stopping to blow your nose in a handkerchief, coughing into your elbow rather than in the open air... Each of these small gestures helps to limit the spread of the virus. As a reminder, anyone with no symptoms can also be a healthy carrier of COVID-19 and therefore pass it on to the people she meets in the street or on the walking paths.
3 – Are there benefits to cycling during the pandemic?
The home trainer
For the French or Swiss wishing to minimize the risk of exposure to the virus, it is possible to cycle without leaving home, in particular thanks to a device called home trainer, which allows fix your usual bike and practice on the spot. Ideal for training at home, in case of bad weather, at night or... in full confinement! The home trainer is similar to an exercise bike, but has the advantage of allowing you to exercise on your usual bike, that you can come out without fear as soon as this health crisis is resolved.
In France, some major brands can deliver home trainers: Decathlon et Go sports for example.
In France
Individual outdoor physical activities are allowed, under strict conditions to be respected absolutely in order to protect you, protect your loved ones and protect the whole population. For athletes who need to get outdoors, it is possible to swap their bike for their sneakers, since walking and jogging are tolerated despite confinement.
The French can therefore practice running, in the absence of cycling, alone and not far from home, as soon as they carry on them the certificate available on the government website and duly completed.
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philippe goubault
29/03/2020 à 16:21I practice cycling as a sport quite intensively (I do about 15000 km/year). I can't run because I have knee problems dating back to my teenage years. Can I therefore practice cycling within the limits permitted by the derogation (no more than one km from my home and no more than one hour)? I'm going crazy to only be able to do Home Trainer...
Administrator
30/03/2020 à 14:33Philippe, We have updated our article with the latest information we could find in France, Belgium and Switzerland… Courage and be careful! Sebastian