Advantages of Active Travel over Public Transport during pandemics

[atlas_shrugged]

I would like to document on this thread the advantages of Active Travel over Public Transport during pandemics:

Research published in BMC Infectious Diseases found that those using public transport during flu outbreaks were up to six times more likely to pick up an acute respiratory infection.

https://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/ ... 2334-11-16

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-heal ... ice-tubes/

Post could also include evidence about why it is a bad idea to take public transport.

[atlas_shrugged]

The German health minister Jens Spahn, appealed for people to work from home and walk or cycle rather than use public transport.

https://twitter.com/colvilleandersn/sta ... 8141999109

[atlas_shrugged]

TfL restricts public transport. Some tube stations shut down:

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus- ... s-11959814

Rory Stewart (Mayoral candidate) cals for complete shut down of tube:

https://www.cityam.com/coronavirus-rory ... -the-tube/

[atlas_shrugged]

Cycling is a low-risk form of transport as regards virus infection:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonrei ... 438e14db47

[RickH]

TfL restricts public transport. Some tube stations shut down:

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus- ... s-11959814

They are reporting similar plans in Manchester.

BBC News - Coronavirus: Greater Manchester buses, trams, and trains to be cut.

On the BBC NW bulletin on TV they were saying that both trams in Manchester & Merseyrail trains in Liverpool would be less frequent, but they would be longer to allow passengers to sit more spaced out.

[mjr]

In West Norfolk, Lynx buses will be running Saturday service Mon-Fri from next week. I expect other operators to do the same. Already noticeably more walkers and cyclists when not raining.

[Vorpal]

Cycling is not only lower risk for transmission of the virus, as many people know, it boosts the immune system and provides many other physical and mental health benefits.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyl ... tudy-finds

[pjclinch]

I did see some muppet on Twitter saying how we shouldn't cycle because the headline doom/distance average for cycling is higher than driving so we risked adding extra strain to the NHS via A&E admissions and should drive instead. I did try and explain it's a bit more complicated than that, but (especially with a Tweet character limit) it was a case of bee firmly in bonnet so I gave up. Don't think he was gaining much traction though.

Pete.

[reohn2]

I can see there being an increase in cycling which is good,but also an increase in car use with the absence of PT.

[Vorpal]

New Yorkers are using bikes in record numbers
https://grist.org/climate/coronavirus-h ... york-city/

The NYTimes is reporting the same thing.

[mjr]

I did see some muppet on Twitter saying how we shouldn't cycle because the headline doom/distance average for cycling is higher than driving [...]

Is it? I don't think we have doom/distance averages for them because the figures are normally reported in terms of the injured rather than the ones bringing the doom. I strongly suspect the vast majorities of injuries are caused by motorists, so if we want to ease the pressure on A&E from road deaths, we probably should stay away from unnecessary motoring: don't drive if you don't have to, plus choose the less motorised route when all else is equal.

It sounds like the muppet had a bad case of car-owner virus!

[atlas_shrugged]

Why not encourage cycling during the coronavirus lockdown?

https://www.theguardian.com/environment ... s-lockdown

[buryman]

France has just banned cycling.

[atlas_shrugged]

Dr. Jenny Harries the Deputy Chief Medical Officer at this afternoon’s Press Conference told the attending journalists that the Government are encouraging children to go on bike rides, but not in groups.

https://twitter.com/allpartycycling/sta ... 0554312706

[atlas_shrugged]

French cycling is not completely banned. The below is apparently (and I checked 19-Mar-20 French media reports too) allowed.

French ministry of the interior confirms short local solo outings on the bike, that respect social distancing rules, purely for the maintenance of well-being, are in order:

https://twitter.com/JuliuzBeezer/status ... 7249139713

You are also allowed to go shopping by bike, and commute by bike.

And being France you have to fill in a form each time you go out unless this is to cycle to work where your employer just fills in the form once.