Cyclists in limbo on ‘stay local' rules

Cycling groups calls for urgent clarification of boundaries, reports James Shrubsall

- James Shrubsall

The government has left cyclists in dark over its interpretation of the ‘stay local’ rule governing exercise under lockdown despite calls for ‘urgent clarification’ last week.

British Cycling, Cycling UK and Triathlon UK penned a joint letter to the Department of Media, Culture and Sport last week seeking a clearer definition of what it meant to stay local.

The phrase is open to interpretation by police forces around the country and those exercising. One high-profile case in Derbyshire saw two women fined £200 each for driving five miles from home to a quiet beauty spot to go for a walk. On the other hand, health secretary Matt Hancock described a bike ride taken by Boris Johnson seven miles from Downing Street as perfectly acceptable.

The joint letter expressed concern that “the lack of clarity in the current guidance… means many people are being discouraged from being physically active – something which is both safe and necessary in order to protect their health and mental wellbeing.”