STOP GROUP RIDING!!!
APRIL 18, 2020
This piece is written by Race Organizer, Tradewind Cycling Team Captain, and Long-time Cycling Community Mega-Volunteer, Supporter, and Rider Atomman Kimm. Please note this is not written by HBL Staff.
It has been a month now since we’ve either had to WFH, been laid off or are still working because we’re essential workers.
I know that a lot of us are going stir-crazy, missing our normal routine of work – play – family times doing whatever we feel like with our time. I also know that many in our community have been affected financially with one out of three Hawaii people without jobs right now.
Mental and physical health are especially important during this different kind of time and riding brings us both health and good social interactions that add to our quality of life.
STOP GROUP RIDING!!!
The science of how Covid-19 is spread from person to person is imprecise at best but the #1 thing to slow the spread is SOCIAL DISTANCING, keeping 6’ or more apart, when stationary.
When we are IN-MOTION, running or riding or even surfing – WE NEED MORE DISTANCE!!!STOP GROUP RIDING!!!
I have seen some downright stupid things out there in the last several weeks, ranging from the crowds in line at Costco, to a gaggle of hikers at the top of Tantalus hugging and high-fiving after what I assume was a great outing up on the trail. I’ve also seen, our cycling friends, both in person and in on-line posts, riding shoulder to shoulder and in big groups. I saw one pace line of 12 riders this morning in-bound on Kalanianaole Highway at Aina Koa (you know who you are) and was passed by another pack of 6-8 riders of my buddies (hey guys!) inbound by Aina Haina. I’ve seen on social media group shots shot of big groups grinning at the camera like normal.
THIS IS A WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC – COME ON MAN!!! These are not normal times, pull you head out of that hole in the ground and do your part to help stop the spread. You can be asymptomatic for quite some time before coming down with symptoms and in the meantime infect everyone you come into contact with. One infected person in contact with others can create a cluster of infections like wildfire. How would you feel if you got your best buds or your family members infected, some fatally, huh? Just because you were selfish and irresponsible behavior. Take this seriously! Hawaii tends to lag behind the mainland, so likely we’re going to see many more cases as time goes on.
DON’T RUIN IT FOR THE REST OF US!!!
The responsible members of our government, are trying to FLATTEN THE CURVE so the healthcare system is not overwhelmed by this highly-contagious disease. Hawaii has closed all beaches, banned group hikes and restricted boating: https://www.staradvertiser.
STOP GROUP RIDES!!!
I get that you want to ride with your buds, so do I, but you are even at more risk than those folks crowding into Costco and Walmart to buy their 100th mega-pack of toilet paper. You are in the draft of someone who could be infected, for hours on end and their respiration is just hammering you with their infectious materials.
Solo-riding is the safest, but if you must maybe go with one or two others and don’t draft, stagger your positions and keep far apart, like 30’ or more.
THE SCIENCE IN IMPRECISE on Covid-19 at this point. Scientific studies that are peer reviewed and replicated take time and effort. To draw definitive conclusions takes time and that is just part of the scientific process. Like the development of a vaccine, it takes time but right now we don’t have time.
I’ve done a bunch of reading, probably more that I should have, chewing up many hours of research and reading articles, following references to the source materials and thinking about all of this. You can find links at the bottom of this to a lot of the things I’ve taken the time to read.
SUMMARY
#1 – This is a highly-contagious disease
#2 – People who are immune-compromised, have underlying health conditions or are age 60+ are at higher risk
#3 – You can be asymptomatic for quite some time before having any indication you’re infected
#4 – The cure or vaccine are not here yet and likely to take some time, likely into 2021
#5 – The 6’+ Social Distancing recommendation applies only when stationary
#6 – When we are in-motion we need to allow more room – the air movement carries droplets and smaller elements further, don’t draft
#7 – Riding Solo is Best – but if riding with one or two others, stagger your lines and stay far-apart, don’t draft
STOP GROUP RIDING!!!
Riding is a privilege not a right at times like this, be respectful of the recommendations that are provided by the government and credible health sources and do your part to STOP THE SPREAD!!!
STOP GROUP RIDING!!!
Riding is a privilege not a right at times like this, be respectful of the recommendations that are provided by the government and credible health sources and do your part to STOP THE SPREAD!!!
ADDITIONAL READING
Canadian Cycling Magazine, 04.08.2020
Seriously, Stop Group Riding
https://cyclingmagazine.ca/
Road CC, 03.25.2020
How much distance should you leave to the cyclist ahead in time of a pandemic?
https://road.cc/content/news/
Road CC, 04.09.2020
Safe cycling distance – experts reinforce minimum distance you should leave to people cycling ahead of you
https://road.cc/content/news/
Honolulu Star Advertiser, 04.07.2020, Mindy Pennebacker
How far should surfers and joggers stay apart to avoid coronavirus? Scientists say think about it like cigarettes.
Bike Radar, 03.31.2020, Paul Norman
Coronavirus and cycling: everything you need to know
Everything you need to know about riding your bike during the COVID outbreak
https://www.bicyclecolorado.
Wired Magazine 04.14.2020
Are Running or Cycling Actually Risks for Spreading Covid-19?
www.wired.com/story/are-
Urban physics.net White Paper
Towards aerodynamically equivalent COVID19 1.5 m social distancing for walking and running
http://www.urbanphysics.net/
Bicycling Magazine, 04.09.2020, Selene Yeager
Be Careful Sharing This Viral Simulation—It’s Not an Actual Scientific Study
WE ALL WANT INFORMATION, BUT IT’S MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO CONSIDER THE SOURCES.
https://www.bicycling.com/
“To be clear, COVID-19 is extremely serious, and we firmly agree that everyone should run and ride solo, leaving the currently recommend six feet of physical distance between yourself and others plus more when you can”
Cycling Weekly. 04.14.2020
Cycling and coronavirus lockdown: Everything you need to know
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