Statement about Coronavirus and advice for Cycling UK groups and volunteers

Statement from Cycling UK

As the national cycling charity Cycling UK’s aim is to support the UK’s population to cycle. This stays true during this period of Covid-19 effecting the UK. Above all the safety and welfare of Cycling UK’s staff, volunteers, participants at our rides and events, beneficiaries of our cycling programmes and the general public is always our main priority. Therefore, Cycling UK is running activities following the latest Government advice and following best practice to minimise risk.

Cycling UK are constantly monitoring the situation and taking advice from Government, health sector and partners. 

Advice for Cycling UK groups and volunteers

Cycling is a fun and healthy activity that brings people together to share a love of the great outdoors, often accompanied by the pleasure of stopping for a quick coffee and cake and a pleasant catch-up. We have over a 1000 groups and they run a large array of events, rides and activities every year.

So what should we be doing in the light of the COVID-19 outbreak?

Current guidance is that, for now, most of us can carry on normally. However, there are certain precautions that must be taken to minimise the spread of the virus. For example, by:

• catching coughs and sneezes in a tissue and throwing them away immediately
• washing hands with soap and water regularly for at least 20 seconds (or using alcohol-based hand sanitiser if not available)
• avoiding close contact with people who are unwell

Symptoms

Some of the symptoms of Coronavirus are:

• a cough
• a high temperature
• shortness of breath

If you have any of these symptoms please do not attend any Cycling UK ride, group or activity and follow the advice on the NHS website. 

• NHS coronavirus advice 
• NHS coronavirus 111 service
• NHS advice for staying at home
   

Self-isolation

There’s a chance that you might be asked to self-isolate, which means staying at home and avoiding public places and Cycling UK led activities.

Further updates

We’ll continue to monitor the situation carefully and will update groups and areas via the website and Velocheer, our volunteer newsletter. If any further action is needed, such as the cancellation of rides and events, we will contact groups and event organisers directly.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Volunteering Team or the Groups Engagement Officer on 01483 238338 or via groups@cyclinguk.org.

This advice was last updated on Friday 13 March 2020.