Going out during lockdown? What every cyclist should bring

Image by Bruce Lam from Pixabay

This article was originally published on April 14, 2020 and has been updated on April 2, 2021 to reflect new health protocols and changes in the Philippine government's COVID-19 policies.

It's been a month since Luzon was placed under enhance community quarantine. By this time, you might be running out of some essential items like food, water and medicine and would have to run some errands using the quarantine pass provided by your village authorities.

As I mentioned in my previous post, biking is the ideal mode of transportation if you're going out to run some errands amid the lockdown, given the suspension of public transportation and mandatory physical distancing rules.

If you are ever forced to go outside during the lockdown, what should a cyclist like you bring to make your commute convenient and safe from Covid-19? I've listed some items below that I think would be useful to every cyclist who will go out during window hours of their enhanced community quarantine.

ON YOUR BODY

Photo from Pixabiz.co.uk

1. Safety gear. As hospitals become ground zero for Covid-19 cases, it's important for healthy people to stay in a pristine medical condition and avoid life-threatening injuries. Doing so, you'd avoid hospitalization and the risk of acquiring Covid-19 inside hospitals. 

As such, if you are going out to do some errands using your bicycle, it's essential that you wear protective gear like your helmet, elbow and knee pads, and the proper footwear. These could save your life in the event of a collision with another vehicle or an accidental fall due to road obstructions or potholes. 

But even with these safety gear on, it's no reason to be complacent with your safety and haphazardly pedal through the streets without regard for other vehicles and people. Remember that in cycling, physical distancing isn't just to keep yourself safe from Covid-19 but also to avoid collisions.

Image by Hannah Morvay
from SingleTracks.com

2. Gloves. Medical researchers have discovered that Covid-19 can remain in surfaces for several hours or even days. In metal surfaces, the virus can survive for five days, while in aluminum surfaces the virus can last from two to eight hours. The virus can also remain in plastic surfaces for three days. 

To prevent the virus from getting into your hands, mouth, nose and eyes, wear a pair of gloves while biking and shopping. And I'm not talking about biking gloves that only cover your palms and leave your fingers exposed; it's best if you wear waterproof gloves that cover your entire hands. Not only will this give you protection from the virus, it will also give you a good grip on the handlebars while biking.

Photo from UPI.com

3. Face mask. As declared by the World Health Organization (WHO), everyone should wear a face mask when going outside to avoid catching Covid-19. While face masks have always been part of cycling fashion, it's time to upgrade to a surgical or N95 mask to prevent not just dust particles but also Covid-19 droplets from entering your nose and mouth.

4. Cycling shades or goggles. Covid-19 can not just through your nose or mouth but also through your eyes. It's for this reason that medical frontliners wear face shields and goggles inside hospitals to avoid contracting the virus.

According to medical researchers, sneezing or coughing can propel Covid-19 droplets between 13 to 27 feet depending on the force employed. A pair cycling shades or strapped goggles will provide ample eye protection for any stray Covid-19 droplets that you might come into contact with in case a pedestrian, motorist or fellow cyclist coughs or sneezes on the side of the road.

Photo from Road.cc

5. Face shield. In December 2020, the Department of Health has since mandated the use of face shields along with face masks when going outside as well as in indoor public spaces. I personally use a face shield while cycling and I have had no problems with it. But I suggest that you use one that is made of thick acrylic plastic instead of the filmsy ones made from soft, pliable plastic so you can see better when cycling and to prevent it from falling off. You can attach it to your helmet or a cycling cap that you wear under your helmet.

Photo from BikeRumor.com

5. Ultralight windbreaker or rain jacket. Atop your usual cycling outfit, don an ultralight windbreaker or rain jacket not only to protect you from the harsh elements this summer, but also to prevent Covid-19 droplets from coming into contact with your skin.

A windbreaker or rain jacket provides protection similar to the medical overalls or personal protective equipment (PPEs) worn by medical professionals inside hospitals. Wear it not just while biking but also inside supermarkets or other commercial establishments. Upon arriving home, you can easily remove this and pop it in the washing machine to immediately disinfect for use next time.

Photo from MountainUp.com

6. Waterproof backpack or drybag. Bring a backpack or rucksack that you conveniently strap to your back if you are biking to a supermarket or commercial establishment that's quite a long distance from your home. You can store your groceries on the bag if you don't have a basket or luggage carrier installed on your bicycle.

As Covid-19 droplets can also stick to your bag, it's better if you use a waterproof backpack or a dry bag instead of your normal bag when going outside. In that way, you can easily disinfect the bag once you arrive home.

INSIDE YOUR BAG

Photo from lazada.com.ph

7. First aid kit. As mentioned in No. 1, we must avoid any injuries that would require hospitalization to reduce our chances of acquiring Covid-19 inside hospitals. But if a minor injury is unavoidable while biking, it pays to have a first aid kit in your bag so you can easily treat these injuries and avoid complications.

A typical first aid kit would normally have adhesive tape, elastic wrap bandages, bandage strips and butterfly bandages in assorted sizes, non-stick sterile bandages and roller gauze in assorted sizes, and instant cold packs.

Also essential in a first aid kit are cotton balls or cotton-tipped swabs, several pairs of disposable non-latex gloves, petroleum jelly or other lubricant, safety pins in assorted sizes, scissors and tweezers, hand sanitizer or isopropyl alcohol, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic solution and towelettes, and hydrogen peroxide to disinfect wounds or bruises.

Photo from CleanBottle.com

8. Water bottle. Dehydration, in extreme cases, can also land you in the hospital. Which is why it's highly important that cyclists regularly hydrate especially on long rides. To recover lost electrolytes while biking, add some oral rehydration salts to your water or bring your favorite electrolyte drink.

Given how Covid-19 droplets can accumulate for hours and days in various surfaces, avoid leaving your water bottle on your bike's water bottle rack. Instead, put it inside your bag where it will be safe from contamination. In that way, you can heave a sigh of relief before every sip of water. Don't forget to wipe the nozzle with tissue paper after drinking to keep it clean and dry.

Photo from walmart.ca

9. Disinfectant spray or wipes. A bottle of Lysol disinfectant spray or wipes are quite handy these days for disinfecting surfaces. As Covid-19 droplets can stick to your bicycle, Lysol isn't just for household use anymore. 

Use a bottle of Lysol spray or pieces of disinfectant wipes to disinfect your bicycle, bag and bike gear before going out, before leaving commercial establishments, and upon arriving home. In that way, you can be sure that you're not coming into contact with your virus by touching any part of your bike.

ON YOUR BIKE

Image by Mabel Amber from Pixabay

10. Front basket and rear luggage carrier. If you are shopping for groceries in bulk, obviously you can't carry all these with you on your bicycle or on your backpack. This is the right time to invest on front basket and rear luggage carrier that can be easily installed on your bike. It might look cheesy for some, but if you're into bikepacking, these accessories are essential.

Some bike shops sell travel cases that can be hung on either side of the rear wheel or securely installed on your luggage carrier. Or, if you're handy with a few screws and bungee cord, you can install a wooden or plastic crate on top of your luggage carrier. Balancing luggage while biking can take some time getting used to, but with practice you can master the art of biking with baggage.

Photo from flipkart.com

11. Bike cover. Disinfecting your bike with disinfectant spray or wipes can be time consuming and would eat up your precious window hour for errands. You don't want to be arrested by local authorities for being out on the streets outside of window hours.

You can save time by putting a bike cover on your bicycle if you park and lock it on a bike rack outside of a commercial establishment. If somebody happens to cough or sneeze near your bicycle, the cover will prevent the droplets from sticking to your bike. To disinfect, simply pop the cover into the washing machine when you get home for next time use.

Photo from road.cc

12. Tire pump and extra inner tubes. You never know when you're going to have a flat tire while cycling. A flat tire means lost time in your window hour and you don't want to be apprehended by authorities on the streets outside of window hours.

With most repair and vulcanizing shops closed due to the lockdown, it's highly important that you're able to replace a flat tire and have the tools to do it. For this reason, a portable hand pump that can be clipped on your bike frame will be a lifesaver when a flat tire happens. Also store a couple of extra inner tubes inside your bike bag so you can replace a punctured inner tube and continue cycling.

Bonus: A bicycle chain lock will help prevent your bicycle from being stolen while parked outside  commercial establishments. Bring a tool set with you as well so you can conduct repairs on the side of the road. A typical tool set include a pair of pliers, some wrenches, and screwdrivers with flat-blade and cross-head tips.

If you have anything more to add to this list, leave a comment on this post or in our Facebook page.

These biking tips are not in any way an endorsement of non-essential biking trips. There have been several reports of cyclists being arrested by authorities for touring or racing during the lockdown. As previously mentioned, these biking trips are only for essential errands such as buying food, water and medicine, paying utilities such as electricity, water and telephone, or in the case of frontliners, for cycling to and from the hospital.

Upon arriving home after going out, be sure to remove and wash all pieces of clothing you wore, disinfect your bike and accessories, and take a bath to prevent Covid-19 from potentially infecting your family and pets.

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This pandemic is proof that we should all learn how to bike

A resident of Wuhan, China uses a bicycle to travel around the city amid suspension of public transportation due
to a government-imposed lockdown to prevent the spread of the deadly Covid-19 virus. Photo by Wu Hong/EPA

Nurses and doctors waiting for hours on end for a ride to the hospital. Construction workers forced to walk from Metro Manila to their home provinces for several days. BPO workers having to live in their offices as they can't leave their jobs and go home. Breadwinners with no choice but to walk to the supermarket and pharmacy and back to their homes.

I haven't written anything on this blog for a long time (my last post was in 2017). I have not biked in a long time too as I've been busy with work commitments. But I came out of my long hiatus to tell you this:

If there is one thing that the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has taught us about mobility, it's that we should all learn how to ride a bicycle.

When the Covid-19 outbreak was suddenly declared a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, countries around the world immediately began to suspend all forms of air and sea travel.

Eventually, when the Philippines began to impose an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) throughout Luzon on March 16, public transportation was suspended in a bid to prevent the virus from further spreading and claiming more lives.

With city buses, rail systems, jeepneys, taxis, and even tricycles and pedicabs prohibited from operating, many Filipinos who still needed to work were forced to walk from their homes to their workplaces. These include frontliners like doctors and nurses who are fighting the spread of the disease in various hospitals throughout the country.

While the government eventually provided these frontliners with free shuttle services to transport them to and from hospitals and other essential facilities, those who cannot avail of these shuttle services relied on what is available and permitted at the time: bicycles.

Those who already own bicycles were quick to adopt to these two-wheeled metal horses. For those who do not have one, a community of cyclists decided to solicit cash donations or collect bicycles donated by kind cyclists to provide frontliners with bicycles to use in their commute.

As bicycles can only carry one person, they're the ideal mode of getting from point A to B while practicing physical distancing at the same time. A cyclist wearing the required personal protective equipment (PPE) like a face mask, goggles, gloves and face shield can travel to their destination and evade people who are potential carriers of the virus.

With only one member of the family allowed to go out of the house during community-imposed window hours, bicycles are the perfect vehicle to use in accomplishing errands such as buying medicine and groceries. You can even take it along with you while queuing outside a store and doesn't take up much space when it needs to be parked. If you're planning to buy groceries, it's easy to fit your bicycle with baskets in front and in the back.

The usefulness of bicycles also beats other forms of mobility. Those using motorcycles and cars are limited by the amount of fuel they can carry and the unforeseen vehicle break down. With many fueling stations and repair shops closed, it's not the best way to move around a locked down metropolis. The bicycle reigns supreme over motorized vehicles as it is human-powered and a knowledgeable, experienced cyclist can easily bring spare parts and conduct repairs on the side of the road.

And then, of course, there is the understated ecological impact of bicycles. As they produce zero emissions, they're highly recommended if you want to have a commute that takes care of the planet. As the enhanced community quarantine cleared our skies of air pollution from vehicles and factories, Filipino have found a greater sense of environmental responsibility. This renewed appreciation for cycling is an expression of that responsibility.

It's ironic that we've taken bicycles and cycling for granted before this pandemic started. Local governments have either not given bicycle infrastructure enough consideration or totally ignored the idea. Our car-centric society has placed a premium on four-wheeled vehicles instead of these handy two-wheeled metal horses. This pandemic has made us realize that bicycles and cycling are an essential mode of public transportation — one that can withstand various crises like pandemics, cataclysms and armed conflict.

When this all over, I sincerely hope that our nation's attitude toward bicycles and cycling changes. After this pandemic, the government should include cycling as a mandatory part of the Physical Education subject in elementary and high school curricula. May it also spur the government to invest in the promotion of cycling as a mode of transportation and in the construction of bicycle infrastructure like bicycle lanes and bicycle parking racks. May it also lead to greater enforcement of laws and enactment of more stringent policies designed to combat air pollution so that more Filipinos would be encouraged to take up cycling.

As in countries like Denmark, The Netherlands and Japan, may our new-found appreciation for biking bring about the rise of a biking culture that seamlessly integrates these two-wheeled metal horses into every aspect of community life.

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