To help the cycling community and our membership understand what the Coronavirus’ impact is on their personal riding, BQ is ensuring we are keeping you up to date with advice on how to ride safely and the upgrades to social-distancing restrictions. 

*All information and commentary is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publishing. 

Although people are now being told to stay at home during the pandemic, you are still allowed to exercise on a daily basis but with new restrictions. 

You should remain home unless you are doing the following:

• buying essential supplies;
• going to work (if unable to work from home);
• exercising;
• attending personal medical appointments or for compassionate reasons.

This means it remains advisable for people to cycle for their health, fitness and well-being, but in line with our previous guidance, you should only do this alone or with members of your household unless any of them have a reason to self-isolate. You may also cycle for transport, either to the shops for supplies, or to work if you are an essential worker.

Group rides are off the table, because we want to be part of the solution, not the problem. Please refer to our previous cycling Q&A statement on COVID-19 and what it means for you.

When you are thinking about where to ride for exercise, here are some elements of your route to consider: 

1. For your own safety, stay away from high traffic roads. With most people abandoning public transport, the roads around our major centres are still very busy.
2. For best-practice social distancing, consider staying away from high pedestrian areas. These would include promenade walks such as South Bank or Sandgate foreshore, even ‘bikeways’ such as Norman Creek and Kedron Brook are very busy at the moment. Quiet backstreet routes that link up with longer bikeways like the Centenary Cycleway or the Gateway North bikeway are good.
3. However, female cyclists especially may also prefer not to ride solo in isolated areas, for personal safety. Let’s give each other the space we need, on the paths and on the roads.

It is all of our responsibility to try to avoid spreading this virus to protect the most vulnerable in our community. The team at BQ also advises members to invest more time in their route planning and select connections which minimise risk when cycling – even if this results in an indirect route to the one you would normally take. Now is not the time to be placing more pressure on our health service with accidents or taking unnecessary risk that could be avoided with better planning. 

Below are some of the commonly asked questions the BQ team are receiving on a daily basis.

*All information and commentary is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publishing. 

1.  Is it OK to go for a ride with my children?

Yes, assuming you are all well, not self-isolating (because of symptoms such as a cough or fever) and live in the same household.

You must apply social distancing and hygiene precautions (see below).

2.  Can I ride with my friend if we don’t live in the same household?

No. You should only be riding with people who live in the same household. This is because either of you maybe infected, but are yet to show any signs of symptoms of the COVID-19.

3.  Can I cycle to work?

If your workplace is still open, cycling is a safe passage to work. It is a healthy alternative to public transport and facilities daily exercise which is great for your general wellbeing. 

4.  I am a cyclist in self-isolation with no symptoms. Can I go for a ride?

Maybe! If you have returned from overseas, you would have received specific instructions about what is required of you. And that means, no, you can’t leave your house/backyard.

But, if your self-isolation is for another reason, such as being a member of an ‘at-risk’ group, then its a cautious yes. 

You however must adhere to social distancing guidelines (of at least 2m from other people) and avoid visiting public places like cafes, public toilets and rest stops.

You should follow the additional hygiene precautions and carry tissues or wipes and dispose of them correctly in a bin upon your return home.  Ensure you wash your gloves, water bottle and hands post ride and avoid touching your face. If bikes are being shared amongst riders, all contact points should also be wiped cleaned before use.

5.  I am a cyclist in self isolation with symptoms. Can I go for a ride?

No.

6.  I am over 70 years of age, in good health, with no symptoms, can I go for a ride?

Yes. You must however adhere to the social distancing guidelines, not ride with anyone outside your household and follow the hygiene precautions.

7.  What is the difference between self-isolation and social distancing?

Self-isolation refers to:

• Not going to work, school or public places.
• Staying home as much as possible.
• Not using public transport.
• Not allowing visitors in your home.

Social distancing refers to:

• Keeping in touch with family, friends and work colleagues via phone, internet or social media. 
• Avoiding social gatherings in public places.
• Avoid non-essential travel via public transport.
• Avoid contact with someone who shows symptoms of a cough or fever.
• Working from home where possible.
• When in a small group situation, remaining 2m apart.

8.  Can I visit the Bicycle Queensland office?

No.  We are trying to limit unnecessary person-to-person contact and potential transmission incidents, so our office is closed to visitors.  Please contact us via email and telephone instead.

In response to the current environment, Bicycle Queensland (BQ) is putting in place measures to help protect the health of our staff, members and wider cycling community.

COVID-19 Update

The BQ team and Management committee remain vigilant and adaptive to the guidance being provided by the Council of Australian Government (COAG).  The COAG now prohibits non-essential gatherings of groups of 100 people or more and requires 14-day isolation of anyone arriving from overseas. 

This has led to the cancellation many sporting and social events, including our Bike with Brisbane event and associated Bike with activations throughout the State.  BQ understands the importance of slowing the infection rate and reducing the chances of people at higher risk being exposed to COVID-19.

BQ actions in the current climate

1. Processes and procedures have been put in place to ensure BQ staff can work safely and efficiently from home if required. The BQ team will continue to provide a professional service to our members. Our bikes will just be parked at home instead of the office.
2. In the interest of staff and community safety we have cancelled our Bike with Brisbane and associated activations, as well as our Yarraman to Wulkuraka Rail Trail adventure. We will provide further updates on other planned events as more information becomes available.
3. We know our members love to ride our events and ride together so the BQ team are busy developing alternative events and activations for members to assist them to remain active and engaged during this period.
4. BQ has provided written support and guidance to all Queensland BUG’s on Tuesday 17/3/2020 in relation to group rides, planned meetings and travel.
5. BQ is providing advice and support to members through a targeting social media campaign #ridewell. This is providing specific messages on how the cycling community can play its role in slowing the spread of COVID-19.

How BQ members can support each other and the wider community

1. Share our #ridewell posts on your social media pages to assist us in spreading the word on tips to remain safe whilst riding.
2. Let the BQ team know if you need assistance in supporting active transport in your workplace. There has never been a better time to ride to work.
3. Support fellow members by sharing your route to work or encourage others to do so. You can share your route by joining our Strava Club
4. Share your active transport tips and hacks with us so we can share them with fellow members and the wider cycling community.

Ride well,

Rebecca Randazzo

Chief Executive

*All information and commentary is correct to the best of our knowledge at time of publishing.