How far can I drive to pick up a bike?

[matticus]

And, as reported in the media today, it is reported that new virus cases aremrisen for the forst time in several weeks. Can't think why.

I've been collecting bikes off eBay every day of lockdown. There's nothing else to do! My bad ...

 

[a.twiddler]

Curiously, when I sold a bike on fleabay last year in the depths of lockdown, anticipating only local interest, I thought a London based buyer was taking the mickey (about 180 miles away) but he arranged a courier to collect. I got an email the night before collection, and he had already paid by then. I hadn't realised the extent of the bike famine at the time, but presumably this arrangement was legal. I certainly wouldn't have considered collection/delivery of an item at that distance myself. I hope we are all more aware of the risks now.

How elastic is local? If social distancing is maintained, travel is only point to point and return with minimal interaction at the collection end and no stops on the way maybe local bike collection might be justifiable. It's not just that I'm Mr law-abiding, but that I would want to act in the spirit of protecting myself and others to the best of my ability and in good faith.

Practical factors such as having a teeny tiny bladder might further limit one's range if a stop free journey was required. It's one of those how long is a piece of string things where those who don't give two hoots for the regulations will blithely get away with things whereas others might get stopped on their first trip out. The likelihood of being stopped on a potentially unneccessary journey is an unknown and variable factor. How far can you go while out on your bike doing daily exercise? No stated limit. " Use common sense".

So do the same for your bike collection trip -act within the admittedly vague guideline of staying local, and use common sense. If in doubt, leave it out.

 

[Electric_Andy]

caring for my 73 year old mother who lives alone

Yes that's absolutely necessary and therefore ok. It would have to be a pretty horrible policeperson to give you a ticket. but picking up a 2nd hand bike for recreation is a different matter. No-one is going to come to any harm if the bike isn't collected. That's the difference. Each person can do what they want of course, but it's not in the spirit of lockdown to travel unecessarily. I don't agree with all the rules but that doesn't mean I get to break them. I could have had a new (free) solid oak kitchen by now if I bent the rules to my favour, but I haven't

 

[Daninplymouth]

Have they actually announced any travel restrictions being lifted? I don’t think iv seen anything along those lines so I’d say you could be looking at June if you followed the advice.
I do home deliveries all over the southwest and the traffic is basically at pre COVID levels, I can’t imagine all the cars o see are going’s to work or on essential journeys

 

[figbat]

Have they actually announced any travel restrictions being lifted? I don’t think iv seen anything along those lines so I’d say you could be looking at June if you followed the advice.

I don't believe there are any travel restrictions. There is "stay at home" and there is "...unless you meet one of these specific exemptions". I'm not aware that the legislation places any limit on distance or frequency of travel in order to achieve the permissible reasons to leave home. The roadmap, as far as I can tell, gradually opens up the reasons you are allowed to leave home until June when it's a free-for-all (my paraphrasing).

 

[TissoT]

I picked up a Kuota on Sunday afternoon.

I travelled from Manchester to Birmingham had to be done.

 

[Lozz360]

Personally, I think that if you properly socially distance yourselves, wear masks and sanitize before and after, I would consider it a lot safer than going to a supermarket where many people have no clue what 2 metres are.

I don't disagree, but the OP was asking about what the police would consider driving too far rather than his chances of catching the virus.

 

[roadrash]

I don't see why I should be boring and sensible any more :-) ]

bearing in mind we are being asked to stay local, wonder if you would be so kind as to point out to me, which part of the following post of yours is sensible.

Yes you're quite right. I would *personally* take the more generous interpretation, but as I also said, I'm happy to take a risk of a small fine. Bear in mind that you are always dealing with a human police officer, not an online form where you have to choose from a limited set of options
If you think it would go badly, and you don't want that risk, fair enough, don't do it.

 

[PK99]

I drove 80 mile the night my dad died, done the same trip a further 3 times to help my mum and will be taking her back home today after staying with us a week after funeral. I never get out of my car other than into her house. Never take anyone with me, never go in shops or supermarkets or stop for coffee. To me its safer and less risk than supermarket or promenade thats heaving with folk or skate park thats standing room only with car park full. Most have decided its ok to socialise and mix as normal in village. Collecting a bike is fine to me

No problem with anything apart from the highlighted bit.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

And, as reported in the media today, it is reported that new virus cases aremrisen for the forst time in several weeks. Can't think why.

That's because the media don't understand the REACT study. Cases are NOT rising.

 

[Dag Hammar]

I have not read every post In this thread so apologies if what I’m about to put has already been said.
There are lots of bikes for sale on Facebook Marketplace. You can enter search filters such as ’bike’ or ’bikes for sale’ and also a Km radius of location.

 

[Joffey]

My round trip for groceries has sometimes been over 30 miles this pandemic due to the shortage of click and collect slots and delivering to my mum (who is shielding). I wouldn't think twice either as I can't get it closer unless I go into a shop which is more risky.

I always think with these things if you have to ask if it's ok it probably isn't, or at least you don't think it is.

Personally I would drive maybe an hour away to pick up a bike. If the area has a higher rate of covid I'd maybe not risk it.

 

[mjr]

Legally, there is no problem. You are allowed to leave home "to collect food, drink or other goods which have been ordered from a business, or to access goods or services which are provided in any way permitted".

However, the advice is to stay in your village, even for this.

The gap between the two is unreasonably large IMO.

 

[Julia9054]

I think that stay local is pretty clear.

Is it? As far as I can see there has been no official definition of local. A distance that I decide is local will be different from my neighbour. And, crucially, may be different from a police officer that may stop me.
See also the definition of exercise/socialising. I can meet my friend for a walk but if we take sandwiches with us it then becomes a picnic

 

[matticus]

I think that stay local is pretty clear. If people are being fined for getting a takeaway from the next town then travelling a long distance to pick up an eBay item is unacceptable both morally and according to the law.

Is "local" really clear?
Is "long distance" a clear and precise measure?

Twaffle.