After the crappy wet winter, we’ve all been massively looking forward to the spring and the start of riding season. Aaaaaaaand then Mother Nature decides to send us Coronavirus and weeks of social distancing and self isolation. Yeah, actually it’s really shit.

But riding motorcycles hasn’t been banned yet! We are allowed to go out and ride - in fact, we are actively being told to avoid public transport. Plus, when we’re riding we naturally wear gloves, keep our mouths and noses covered and keep safe distances. And yeah, it’s probably for the best that we do it alone for now.

But there are even better things you can do to help the wider community during this time if you are well and if you own a motorcycle. Here are some of the great initiatives and help set up for you to get involved with :

Join the Bike Shed’s Community Support Riders group on Facebook. They’re still in the planning and testing stage right now, but this is a great way to help people who need it in London and beyond. Check it out and join the group here.

Maybe you’re a healthcare worker or provider (though if you are, we’re sure you’re doing more than enough already), or just want to volunteer in a personal capacity? You can sign up for the National Care Force

Sign up to be a blood donor - people still need transfusions and there has been a massive drop off during the pandemic! If you’re not already a donor, you can sign up here.

Check in with your neighbours - especially elderly and/or vulnerable neighbours - put a note through their door. If your neighbours hate you because your exhaust is really loud, now is the time to make it up to them...

Respect rules about social distancing!

Don’t panic buy! If you’re only eating all that pasta you’ve hoarded you’re going to emerge from this very rotund and with some serious vitamin deficiencies.

And if you are riding, now is the time to do it AS SAFELY AS POSSIBLE. People aren’t using public transport, but they are out in their cars, and they are anxious and driving in an even more mental fashion than usual. They need more bog roll for their toilet roll fort (or whatever they’re doing with it) and they are probably not looking out for you on your motorcycle. This is not the time to be in an accident because frankly, the NHS have got more important things to deal with. Spot those hazards and avoid them. Let aggressive drivers pass you, suck it up and give way to anyone who looks like they’re on a mission for that last bag of penne.

Stay safe and wash those hands

VC x

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