Are Group Rides Safe Yet?

Have you been riding with friends this season? As summer fades to fall and inches closer to winter, many cyclists have rejoined their group rides. Is it safe?

At this point in the pandemic, many people are still looking for more specific data on the risks associated with everyday life. From mass transit, working in offices, and certainly, the risks posed by getting students and teachers back in school, we all want to see the numbers. For more recreational activities, like cycling, there simply aren’t studies or trustworthy guidelines on what is safe, what is risky, and what should be avoided. 

Since spring, events across the country have canceled or postponed amateur and professional cycling races to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Most of those health concerns were primarily focused on the various elements of races that are off the bike. Groups of people at registration, on the start line, waiting by the Porta-Johns, and celebrating their efforts with a beer post-race were certainly ideal conditions for the spread of the virus, even with the mask mandates in place in many states across the country. 

But what about simply going on a ride? Organizations like the League of Michigan Bicyclists and USA Cycling advocated for riding solo, restricting group rides to those from within your household, or groups of ten riders or fewer. While smart, none of these advisories were based on a study or data, simply because that information still doesn’t exist, even as we go on nine months of life in a pandemic. 

An early study warned that, at least in laboratory conditions, the virus could theoretically spread up to sixteen feet in a cycling environment. It was a startling revelation but, at least according to one medical expert, needs a bit more unpacking. The variable and turbulent air behind a cyclist would certainly have a massive impact on the direction and path of any airborne pathogens. The size of the aerosols and particles, too, may mean that the virus itself would fall too quickly to be inhaled by trailing riders.

Still, if you’ve ever been on a group ride and been splashed with the sweat or spit of the rider ahead of you, you likely understand that being in the close quarters of a peloton or bunch will expose you to the breath of others. While the risk is low, the risk is very much there. That means that you rely heavily on others to report any illness or symptoms, including fever, nasal congestion, fever, shortness of breathe, or other symptoms associated with COVID-19. Because of the 3-5 day incubation period of the virus, even those that are asymptomatic could still serve as a disease vortex. As a result, riders need to honestly communicate their travel, possible exposure at work or through their kids, and let others make informed decisions about the risks group rides pose.

So, can riding with others cause you to get sick or cause you to infect others? It can, which is why many organizations are continuing to advocate for small groups or solo rides, especially in states with rising positive cases and wider community spread. Before your next group ride, ask yourself these questions:

-        How many riders are joining this ride? Do I know what precautions these riders are taking to stay safe? Do these riders have jobs or activities that would potentially increase their likelihood of exposure?

-        Have these riders disclosed any symptoms?

-        Will these riders maintain social distancing before and after the ride, or whenever stopped?

-        Do I have friends or family members that are deemed higher-risk of complications if I pass them the virus?

If you’re unsure or hesitant, the best bet is to ride with just a few close friends.