Bennetts insurance advice - riding during lockdown
Discussion
I thought this update from Bennetts could be interesting for some of us.
Bennetts Insurance said:
UPDATE: the latest Government paper makes it clear that non-essential travel over greater distances is now acceptable. Please take note of the guidance below to ensure you stay within the law as you take your bike out again.
New Government advice has indicated that exercise and travel restrictions have – to some extent – been relaxed. While all key workers, and anyone else needing to travel for essential journeys, have been free to use a motorcycle for transport during the pandemic, the latest advice urges common sense around taking your motorbike out for leisure rides. It’s vitally important that motorcyclists ride with real care and consideration, as tougher lockdown measure could very quickly be reintroduced…
Can I ride my motorcycle during the Coronavirus pandemic?
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have not yet changed their advice of ‘Stay Home’, but residents of England are being told to ‘Stay Alert’ and from Wednesday 13 May, they can:
Sit in the sun at their local park
Drive to other destinations (though not crossing into devolved nations)
Play sports with members of their own household
Meet other people if they maintain social distancing of 2m and use common sense
We have contacted the government’s Department for Health and Social Care, but there’s no obvious reason from 13 May not to take your motorbike to a location to relax, though we’d urge ALL riders to consider these important points:
The pandemic is NOT over – the lives of our families and friends are still in the balance
Maintain social distancing of two metres at all times
Check your bike over carefully when it’s been unused for a while
If you put your bike on SORN, be sure to update it with the DVLA
If you didn't renew your bike insurance policy during lock down, do it now
Do you have an MoT? The six month extension only applies to bikes that were due an MoT AFTER 30 March.
Do NOT ride in groups – the government states that we must not meet more than one other person from outside our household, and we must maintain social distancing
The government has clarified that ‘people may drive [riding a motorcycle comes under this term] to outdoor open spaces irrespective of distance so long as they respect social distancing guidance while they are there’ but it’s important that we don’t see large groups of motorcyclists congregating at single spots
You are an ambassador for motorcycling – ride with care and consideration
Be respectful of all other road users
Do not ride across the Scottish and Welsh borders unless necessary until those countries change their rules
Given the need for social distancing, there’s a real chance that more people will consider riding motorcycles and scooters to get to work in the coming months. Test centres are expected to reopen on 7th June (though bookings can’t currently be made), and there seems a real hunger among many to get their bike licence.
It’s now more important than ever that ALL motorcyclists present the right image to the world, proving how convenient, efficient and inexpensive scooters and motorcycles can be as a form of transport. The fact that they’re also hugely enjoyable is a bonus, but please do consider how we all appear to those who don’t understand life on two wheels, be it on the road or when using social media.
New Government advice has indicated that exercise and travel restrictions have – to some extent – been relaxed. While all key workers, and anyone else needing to travel for essential journeys, have been free to use a motorcycle for transport during the pandemic, the latest advice urges common sense around taking your motorbike out for leisure rides. It’s vitally important that motorcyclists ride with real care and consideration, as tougher lockdown measure could very quickly be reintroduced…
Can I ride my motorcycle during the Coronavirus pandemic?
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have not yet changed their advice of ‘Stay Home’, but residents of England are being told to ‘Stay Alert’ and from Wednesday 13 May, they can:
Sit in the sun at their local park
Drive to other destinations (though not crossing into devolved nations)
Play sports with members of their own household
Meet other people if they maintain social distancing of 2m and use common sense
We have contacted the government’s Department for Health and Social Care, but there’s no obvious reason from 13 May not to take your motorbike to a location to relax, though we’d urge ALL riders to consider these important points:
The pandemic is NOT over – the lives of our families and friends are still in the balance
Maintain social distancing of two metres at all times
Check your bike over carefully when it’s been unused for a while
If you put your bike on SORN, be sure to update it with the DVLA
If you didn't renew your bike insurance policy during lock down, do it now
Do you have an MoT? The six month extension only applies to bikes that were due an MoT AFTER 30 March.
Do NOT ride in groups – the government states that we must not meet more than one other person from outside our household, and we must maintain social distancing
The government has clarified that ‘people may drive [riding a motorcycle comes under this term] to outdoor open spaces irrespective of distance so long as they respect social distancing guidance while they are there’ but it’s important that we don’t see large groups of motorcyclists congregating at single spots
You are an ambassador for motorcycling – ride with care and consideration
Be respectful of all other road users
Do not ride across the Scottish and Welsh borders unless necessary until those countries change their rules
Given the need for social distancing, there’s a real chance that more people will consider riding motorcycles and scooters to get to work in the coming months. Test centres are expected to reopen on 7th June (though bookings can’t currently be made), and there seems a real hunger among many to get their bike licence.
It’s now more important than ever that ALL motorcyclists present the right image to the world, proving how convenient, efficient and inexpensive scooters and motorcycles can be as a form of transport. The fact that they’re also hugely enjoyable is a bonus, but please do consider how we all appear to those who don’t understand life on two wheels, be it on the road or when using social media.
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