Senior police officer warns against ‘pushing the limits’ when cycling during lockdown

The advice from Kerrin Wilson, Assistant Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police, seems to contradict that given by Government minister Kit Malthouse.

When quizzed about Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s East London bike ride seven miles from Downing Street, the Policing Minister suggested it was reasonable for cyclists to peddle up to 70 miles from their home as long as they did not interact with anyone else.

However ACC Wilson gave different advice when she was quizzed by local BBC presenter Peter Levy last night (Monday).

Her answer came in response to a question about one viewer called ‘Tony’ who cycles three or four times per week from his home, covering 50-60 miles.

The police officer replied: “He still needs to do his exercise but I think three to four rides a week at 50 to 60 miles is pushing the limits or boundaries on that.

“What you have to understand is if he falls off his bike and is so far away from home, how is he going to get help if he gets a puncture?

“Other people are potentially being put at risk.”

When pressed by the BBC presenter, the officer declined to give an appropriate distance about the figure people could travel to exercise.

She replied: “There is no figure which is why it is only guidance and the reasonableness is a test for every individual.”

But the officer gave an example of someone travelling from Lincoln to the seaside resort of Skegness (a 90 mile round trip) as one journey which would now be unacceptable.

One cyclist responded: “I could almost see the logic in what Lincolnshire police are saying if it wasn’t for the fact that every cyclist who can ride that far (70 miles) knows their way round a bike, carries spare inner tubes and can do those repairs she talks about.

“I can’t see it is anymore dangerous or puts more pressure on the NHS than all the joggers who continue to run on icy paths during the bad weather or people attempting DIY at home.”