Leigh

Updated

26 March 2021

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British Cycling

From March 29th we’re delighted to be able to re-introduce sanctioned cycling events and activities in England, in line with changes in Step 1: Phase 2 of the UK Government roadmap. This page will be updated regularly, and if you have any further questions you can find contact details for our teams here.

Until Monday, you should continue to follow the guidance set out on Step 1: Phase 1 of the roadmap, which you can find on the Sport England website here.

You can find the most up-to-date guidance for Scotland here and Wales here.

What changes on March 29th?

On March 29th England will move to Step 1: Phase 2 of the UK Government roadmap for easing Covid-19 restrictions, which permits the re-introduction of organised sport and physical activity. As a result of this, we are able to resume much of our sanctioned activity (including group rides, coaching sessions and cycle sport events), in line with the guidance set out in our The Way Forward documents, which can be found here.

From this date, people will also be able to resume gatherings in groups of up to six (the Rule of Six) or two households outdoors, making it possible for groups of friends and families to ride together informally (ie. outside of formally organised British Cycling activity).

What about group rides?

From March 29th, British Cycling affiliated Club and recreation programme rides (HSBC UK Breeze, Guided Rides and Ride Social) will be able to take place in groups of up to 15.

These rides will be subject to a series of Covid mitigation measures, including: test and trace protocols, one metre social distancing while riding, two metre social distancing while not riding, and guidance covering hygiene, equipment sharing and self-sufficiency. More details on this can be found in The Way Forward here.

Clubs and groups which do not feel confident or comfortable riding in groups of 15 at this stage are permitted and encouraged to set a lower limit which is appropriate for their own circumstances. 15 is a limit, not a target.

While we know that group riding presents a very low risk of transmission (due to it taking place outdoors, with very limited face-to-face contact), we must remain mindful of the wider public’s understandable concerns around Covid-19 and ensure that all clubs and groups respect and adhere to the relevant Covid-secure guidance for safe delivery.

Informal group rides – such as groups of friends meeting to ride together – will continue to be subject to the Rule of Six at this time, along with all other general Government guidance on social distancing and interaction.

What about coaching?

From March 29th coaching activities can resume outdoors, with numbers to be determined by the coach’s qualification remit and the capacity of the space where the activity takes place. Guidance for coaches on safely managing their sessions to reduce the risk of transmission can be found in The Way Forward here.

At this stage, indoor coaching activity is only permitted for disabled people and for educational purposes (including wraparound care), and will be subject to facility access. All clubs running activities for under-18s in out-of-school settings should consult the Department for Education’s guidance on activity in out-of-school settings, which sets out further practical steps providers of community activities, holiday clubs, after-school clubs, tuition and other out-of-school provision for children.

What about events?

From March 29th we are able to resume a wide range of outdoor events, with discipline-specific guidance provided in The Way Forward here. Indoor activity is not permitted at this step of the roadmap, with the only exemptions being for disabled people, educational purposes and elite sport.

Planning is now underway for a series of pilot events for road racing and MTB gravity (with uplift), which have been impacted most by the pandemic. We will be running these events in steps two and three of the roadmap, from April 12th at the earliest.

What about facilities?

Outdoor sports facilities can re-open from March 29th. Indoor facilities must remain closed at this step, but may open for the following purposes: sport for disabled people; sport for educational purposes (including wraparound care); and elite sport.

Our The Way Forward guidance for facility operators will be published here in the coming days. Further information can be found on the Sport England website here.

Can I travel to take part organised sport and physical activity?

While you should minimise time spent outside your home, you can leave your home to exercise and take part in informal and organised sport and physical activity. Always check that it’s safe to travel before you set out to take part in sport or recreation.

You should not stay away from home overnight for the purpose of taking part in sport and physical activity at this step.

Is there a limit on length or duration for group riding?

There is no limit on length or duration set out in the Government guidance, however we continue to urge clubs and groups to use their common sense and ensure that they are self-sufficient while out riding.

Are café stops permitted?

At any pre, mid or post-ride stops, groups should immediately default to the Government’s general guidance for social contact – the Rule of Six. This means splitting your group into wholly separate groups of six or fewer, with riders remaining in their group for the duration of the stop.

During any refreshment stops you should also ensure that you com