The emergency of recent weeks is forcing people to make sudden, but necessary, changes in habits and lifestyles. We are all called to make sacrifices for the common good. Cyclists included.
Sport stops
The government's decisions are drastic and unique, but they are aimed at safeguarding the safety of an entire nation. Therefore, for now, until April 3 , all competitive competitions in every sport, at every level, are suspended. Regarding training, there are special exemptions for professionals, although new rules may soon be introduced for team sports. For example, some football clubs have already decided to suspend all activities.
Can you go out on your bike?
The government decree is perhaps not 100% comprehensive. In fact, it urges citizens to leave their homes only when strictly necessary , such as for health or work reasons, and with a self-certification attesting to this. At the same time, however, it states that outdoor physical activity is permitted , as long as it is not done in a group. Therefore, according to the decree, it is possible to go running or cycling, as long as one goes out alone or at least maintains a distance of one meter.
Regarding cycling, however, there's a key issue that the government hasn't addressed, but which fortunately has been raised, especially by various regional and provincial federations. Namely, the risk of accidents. These would require cyclists to seek medical care, and given the extreme emergency situation and near-saturation in many hospitals, this could mean taking a bed away from someone infected with coronavirus. And in the worst-case scenario, it could even mean being denied access to any care at all. Therefore, the advice circulating in the media these days is to avoid cycling to avoid the risk of accidents, but also to avoid weakening one's immune system through prolonged exertion.
Article 1, paragraph 3 of the Prime Ministerial Decree of March 9, 2020, states: "Sports and physical activities performed outdoors are permitted only if it is possible to maintain a distance of one meter between people."
So, currently there is no law prohibiting bike rides, but common sense can often be stronger than a law.
Word of Cassani and Linus
Davide Cassani , coach of the Italian national cycling team, also says so. His comments have been reported in recent days by many newspapers: his advice to all cycling enthusiasts and practitioners is to stay away from the gym and train on a roller. It's a sacrifice, of course, but it's worth it because the health of Italy as a whole is paramount right now.
Even Linus , director of Radio Deejay and a great cycling enthusiast, as well as a practitioner, states live during his program Deejay chiama Italia that for a few weeks you can even do without bike rides, because it is important to use common sense.
So, for a few days or a few weeks (let's hope the shutdown doesn't last longer), we wish everyone happy cycling... on the rollers or exercise bikes.
