A look at the rules of riding in this wild, isolating time.



"It’s a simple question in a not-so-simple, ever-evolving time of crisis: Can I ride my motorcycle during a pandemic? Because we all want to. And some of us need to because our jobs require it.

Benefits Of Riding

If you’re like us, you know that even a short sprint can do wonders for your mental state as well as your physical well-being, and just the act of being outdoors pays dividends beyond that. But these days, our physical well-being and how our health affects those around us are becoming bigger and bigger issues.




Making things even more confusing is the fact that there have been mixed messages from governments on the issue. While the entire West Coast (and more of the country each day) has a shelter-in-place order and all nonessential businesses and parks are shuttered, the National Park Service recently said it was waiving entrance fees. The thinking was that coming to a park would help people get fresh air yet still support social distancing (though we’d think twice about that one). Still, most governments, both state and federal, have encouraged us to take part in outdoor activities, like “walking, running, and biking.” We’ve emailed our state health department for further clarification on that, but as far as we’re concerned, motorcycling’s on the list because it’s good for mental and physical health. Check your local health department guidelines here: https://www.usa.gov/state-health.

Do’s And Don’ts During The Pandemic

But if you’re going to ride, don’t be a selfish jerk about it either; it’s not just about you.
Along with following the CDC’s basic guidelines for virus prevention, practice your local government’s requirements regarding spacing and hygiene. AMA President Rob Dingman weighed in on the conundrum in an email a couple of weeks back, and it bears repeating. The gist was that motorcyclists should “Get out there and ride.” Of course, he added sensible (and vital) caveats, like:
• Avoid crowded spaces: Ride motorcycles.
• Do not use public transportation: Ride motorcycles.
• Well-ventilated spaces are virus free: Ride motorcycles.
• Wear gloves: Ride motorcycles.
• Keep at least 6 feet from other people: Ride motorcycles. (Distancing guidelines are here: https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.o...ved/le2268.pdf.)
• Keep a positive attitude: Ride motorcycles!




To which we would add our own earlier suggestions, along with these:
• Avoid riding in groups. The best plan is to ride solo in uncrowded areas; try to time your rides when you know roads will be less traveled. Check for restrictions or mandatory self-quarantines in the area.
• If you’re going to a scenic spot, don’t congregate once you get there if you see others. Move on.
• Keep it local. We don’t know what it’s like in your neck of the woods, but over here the roads are pretty empty. The silver lining in all this is we’ve uncovered some amazing routes and bucolic pockets of greenery within a couple of miles of our ’hood, all of them now blessedly traffic free. Postpone your 20-state touring ride till next year.
• Wipe down any surface you touch. On your way out to the store or gas station, you’ll encounter multiple touch points. If you gotta touch something afterward, don’t let it be your face. Get more info from the CDC here.
• Clean your gear (especially gloves and helmets). That surface might be contaminated too, and while it’s still unclear how long the virus lives on certain materials, the World Health Organization offers this advice.


• You should already know that if you’re sick or at risk of spreading the virus, don’t even think about going out. And if you’ve been to an affected area within 14 days or contacted an infected person, be smart: ​Call your local health department.
• Think about wearing a bandana, scarf or neck gaiter (which we usually do anyway);
they may not filter out those pesky airborne virus droplets, but they’ll at least prevent you from directly touching your face—or serve as a reminder not to.
• Sometimes it isn’t whether you can ride your bike during a lockdown order; the question can be whether you should, especially if you live in a widely affected area or hot spot. It comes down to the simple possibility of infecting someone else. Unless you’ve been tested, you just don’t know, so it’s probably best to stay home. If you do need to go, follow these guidelines from our other post, take precautions, and ride safe.
• Ride safe. We have to say it again, because many—if not most—hospitals are stretched thin right now, and if they’re not, they soon will be (depending on where you live). You don’t want to tax their meager resources with a measly sprain or other dumbass injury, and even in the best of times hospitals can be hotbeds for infection. Stay upright.



So go for a short zip around the block. Show your face to the sun. Listen to the happy rumble of your machine. Just go solo, stay alert, and know that this is a rapidly developing situation; for the most up-to-date info, check resources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) regularly.


https://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/st...ring-pandemic/

Adding a bit more food for thought regarding getting out there for some wind therapy.

 

Good post.

 

Thanks for the write up. I have said on other threads that I was just going to park the bike a while. But I broke my own rule yesterday. I did get out and take a five hour solo ride about 150 miles round trip. It took me through the NC mountains and up on the BRP. I had felt pretty quilt prior about riding. But after over two weeks of being at home I needed some wind therapy and it did me a lot of good. I only spoke to two people, both at a very safe distance, and I did enjoy a hot dog through a pick up window by myself out doors.

I updated my Open Roads report in the Road Trips section if anyone wants to see a lot of deserted highway and road pictures!

Everyone stay safe.

 

Unless I missed it, here is another do and dont while riding.
Situational awareness: There are people out there who will be offended at seeing you pleasure riding on a motorcycle.
They will attempt to self-enforce the shelter in place orders on you.

 

I'm fixing to call the local sheriff's office to try and clear up the mixed messages I'm seeing in the media. They are saying it's fine to go out and walk, run, bike ride, hike or even take your boat out because the ramps are open. But I just read a guidline from the sheriff where they don't want you out if you don't absolutely have to be.
Why can't I ride as long as I stay away from others if people can take their boats out?

 

Im sorry officer im just self isolating.

 

I agree , if people are being allowed to walk , run , sit on their front door step and even drive to work , why can't you go for a spin on your bike . The only issue I see is exactly what Dickey said about the risks of going down and causing an additional problem for the hospitals. If you don't feel it's an issue , then have at it , it's as about the best form of social distancing as you can get , and it will calm the nerves which is what some many of us need at this time . It's what we do ...

 

The essential toilet paper run can be well over 100 miles in today’s world. 👍

 

 

As long as your Get-Back whip is 6 feet long, and has been disinfected, you should be OK.