Cycling During Coronavirus

With coronavirus dominating our lives and #StayHome appeals being broadcast, cyclists are suffering from being stuck indoors. So is cycling healthy and safe these days? An article on Bicycling.org lists Dr. David Nieman’s and Dr. Brian Labus’s answers to the questions on our minds.

Is it safe to ride a bike outside?

Yes, when transmission is the issue, being outside is better than being inside. When people gather and someone coughs or sneezes, the droplets from their mouth land on objects people touch, then people touch their faces. The best plan right now is to ride alone and enjoy being outside.

Also, people fear getting sick from cold-weather riding — that’s not accurate; there’s no data showing cold-weather rides give you any airborne illness. 30–60 minutes of moderate activity can strengthen your immune system. While you’re doing it, make sure to follow any quarantine or personal isolation that applies in your region. And if you’re sick and at risk of spreading the virus, please stay home.

If you’re in quarantine, do bodyweight exercises where you are, or work with a trainer — provided you’re not sick. If you have general flu or COVID-19 or a fever, some people mistakenly think you can “sweat the illness out”. This is not true. The opposite, in fact.

Can I ride during #StayHome / isolation?

On 19 March California (and 13 March in Turkey) started a stay-at-home campaign. The public was asked to stay home until the next announcement and keep as much distance from others as possible. But the situation in San Francisco (and Turkey) doesn’t block people from going outside alone for things like cycling, running, walking. They’re only asked to maintain social distance, stay at least 2 metres away from others, and avoid moving around in groups. In short: you can exercise, but stay tuned to public health announcements first.

Should I avoid group activities?

As of 18 March, the US Cycling Federation recommended cancelling races and group rides through 3 May (the Turkish Cycling Federation also postponed its associated races to a later date).

Is spitting while riding a health risk right now?

Doctors say transmission of COVID-19 via saliva is possible. COVID-19 spreads when someone coughs or sneezes, and those droplets reach the eyes, nose, or mouth of nearby people. Saliva can contain nasal discharge or material from the lungs alongside the spit itself. Same goes for cyclists clearing their noses while riding.

How long does COVID-19 last on clothing?

Experts don’t have a unanimous view yet on transmission from surfaces like clothing. But the WHO’s position is that the virus can survive between a few hours and a few days. If saliva lands on your clothes, change as fast as possible while avoiding touching the affected area, then wash your hands. To disinfect clothes, wash at high temperature and tumble-dry at high temperature.

Should I avoid touching things outdoors?

Recent data suggests the new coronavirus doesn’t last long on outdoor objects when exposed to sunlight (UV). Generally, the virus is found only in small amounts on outdoor objects. But if an infected person coughs or sneezes into their hand and then touches a crosswalk button, and you touch it right after, transmission becomes possible.

Does the virus spread through sweat?

Per CDC, the virus does not spread through sweat — it spreads through droplets from coughing and sneezing to people within 2 metres.

Can I spread the disease before symptoms appear?

That’s another aspect of coronavirus that isn’t fully understood yet. Probably, in the period just before symptoms appear, you can already spread it. Once you start coughing or sneezing, you become naturally more contagious. Social distancing is the only solution for now. Experts are still working on how long the virus survives on surfaces, and the core problem is that it’s extremely contagious, easily transmitted through coughing and sneezing, and can be spread by people who don’t realise they’re sick. That’s why washing hands and not touching your face is so important.

After exercise, does my immune system weaken or strengthen?

When your glycogen stores are depleted, your body doesn’t function normally. After a hard ride or race, if you’re exposed to someone with the flu or coronavirus, your immune system is essentially down. Plus, the mental and physical stress of a long ride can increase your chance of getting sick. Dr. Nieman’s view: cyclists should avoid long, intense rides and training. During this period, cyclists should think about being healthy, not about being in form. But this doesn’t mean stop cycling or exercising entirely. There’s a strong link between regular exercise and a strong immune system.

Is it safe to go to the gym?

Most countries and cities are taking steps to prevent the virus spreading. In many places, gyms — which could easily spread the virus — have been temporarily closed as a precaution. Working out at home during this period may be the best way to maintain fitness and health. Many closed gyms also offer online classes you can stream. Also, wherever you exercise, don’t forget to wash your hands regularly after exercise and to wipe down all your equipment.

If we use shared/rental bikes, what extra precautions can we take?

If a sick person used the bike right before you, they may have left virus on the handlebars. Wiping the bars with antibacterial wipes before riding will prevent exposure to many viruses and bacteria. According to CDC, while it’s not the primary transmission route, you can catch COVID-19 by touching a contaminated surface and then your mouth, nose, or eyes. Generally, if you use gloves and disinfect the bars before riding, shared bikes seem OK. Still wash your hands right after and avoid touching your face.

My race isn’t cancelled — should I go?

You may be wondering what to do about the race you’ve been preparing for for ages. Short answer: don’t go. CDC recommends cancelling all events of 50+ people for the next 8 weeks.

My race got cancelled but there are other group rides. Can I go?

In place of cancelled events, group rides or informal races may pop up. But any event where people gather carries transmission risk. In general: be selective with your interactions, wash your hands, avoid direct contact, don’t touch your face. And remember — beyond coronavirus, the regular flu is also out there.