Cyclist0108

Date-stamped March 16th, so the question is whether it is still allowed under the Governor's order.

goenrdoug

Ventura County version of the order as of tonight 3/20 at 11:59 pm specifically mentions bike riding as being okay:

Coronavirus ? Stay Well at Home Emergency Order ? VC Emergency

sfrider 

It's not a coherent order though. For example it doesn't make an exception for grocery stores or take out restaurants to stay open (only federal workers according to the CISA reference). Then if you say well obviously grocery stores need to stay open, you get to the problem that it doesn't make an exception for grocery shopping. Nowhere in the PDF or the statutes referenced, or the list of essential federal infrastructure it references, is going out to buy groceries listed as an exception. Or exercise of any variety. Or say repair a roof leak, or driving your car. (Is that 'essential' when there is a bus?) Or going outside on your own property. Or to your own garage if it requires transiting a sidewalk (you might not have a rear entrance). What if it's a condo building with shared spaces - is utilizing those going outside?

Basically, the order is too non specific to consider more than a guideline. You just have to operate on assumptions, like exercise and grocery shopping is okay, but shoe shopping isn't (even if you wore out your last shoes and have to walk barefoot). This order kind of reflects California legislation in general.

I'll be riding my bike.

Edit: BTW, even city of SF had to figure out what it means and came to the conclusion that people should continue following local guidelines. (https://twitter.com/LondonBreed/status/1241032054533263360)

big john

Very confusing especially since it says this is his first post.

big john

What can I do? What’s open?

Essential services will remain open such as:

• Gas stations
• Pharmacies
• Food: Grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks, convenience stores, take-out and delivery restaurants
• Banks
• Laundromats/laundry services

All of the information is there if you look around for it.

sfrider 

But what's the point of keeping grocery stores open if people can't go out grocery shopping? That's not on your list.

Seattle Forrest

The first words on that list are "what can I do."

big john

Not sure if you are being sarcastic. Of course you can go to the market. If you listened to the governor the point of all this is to stop people from gathering in groups when it's not necessary. He said you can walk your dog, exercise outside, look after family members, etc. The point is not to punish anyone and there will be no enforcement by police.
Hardware stores are open as are gas stations, auto repair shops, take out food, etc.

that list was just a little snippet from the state site.

CAT7RDR

Intentionally vague to not drum up civil unrest and keep the masses from rebelling. Controlled measures to elicit cooperation "Social Contract" rather than calling on the National Guard, CHP, local police agencies to try to force the masses to follow a curfew. The Governor knows he does not have the numbers to try to enforce a command to stay sheltered in place.

Cyclist0108

OK, maybe the governor issues the proclamation and the individual counties implement it in terms of shelter-in-place orders, in which case presumably our ones from March 16th are still in effect. I hope that is the case...

big john

A bit of a dystopian outlook? It ain't like that, man.

RedBullFiXX

Saw more bikes on the coast this morning than usual
Local bike shops are busy too

Cyclist0108

Loads of bikes on the trails at UC Santa Cruz. Lots of people visiting from Santa Clara county. I didn't think of this as being problematic before. Everyone kept a respectable distance (which they usually do anyway when they see me road-biking on the mountain bike trails).

CAT7RDR

We shall see. Been to Costco lately? Whole lotta fear prompting folks to horde and panic buy. Not as bad now due to retailers finally stationing employees to meter out supplies. Sincerely hope the supply chain structure remains functioning, could become an issue with sick employees. Otherwise, well you know. . .

Plan on taking a long ride into the hills of OC tomorrow to stay on topic.

ChrisAlbertson

I've seen more bikes on the road in the last few days than usual. In fact it looks like a summer weekend. I live in Redondo Beach CA and this observation applies to coastal roads I've ridden and the bike path 25 miles north and south of Redondo Baech.. I really do see more than normal traffic out there but cycling is mostly done in "groups" of one and two. People are taking the governors' advice to walk their dog too. When I take my dog out I see more people out during the day. So much for "working" at home.

ChrisAlbertson

So PLEASE don't drive your car, as cars are the number one cause of death and injury for those to young to get cancer.

Cyclist0108

From BikeSnobNYC (1918 flu)

big john

I agree with you about the people going crazy and panic buying, etc. I don't think I've ever been to a Costco, actually.

What I was disagreeing with was the idea that the state was going to sick the troops on us. At least not yet.

BengalCat

I did a nice 41-mile ride today. Saw lots of other road bike cyclists and runners too. With the rain interference the last two weeks, it was GREAT getting out and I pushed the pace most of the way. I picked up a Strava segment PR for my age group. I'm planning on going out again Sunday or Monday.

Kabuki12

I am staying indoors this weekend for sure. On my way to work at 1:00am can’t sleep. Thank God for my own shop and working alone. I got work to do , one of my customers makes ventilators and I am making more tools for ramping up production. I have an “essential work” notice on my locked front door. I did get my Sunday ride to Ventura harbor last weekend in between rain squalls. It was great, not much traffic and only saw 2 other cyclists. Very few people at the beach, social distancing was easy!

nesdog

In Socal. Heading out shortly. Traffic around here has been lighter, noticed during two rides I did this week already.

All group and club rides are cancelled now so it's solo time. As mentioned above, our local bike shops are open.

I found that being out at least created some sense of normalcy in these stressful moments.

tyrion

I road around Mission Bay and Fiesta Island today - there's people all over the place. Lots of social distance violations - I didn't report anyone, just verbal warnings.

ChrisAlbertson

I think we have the same bike. Is yours from the mid to late 1970's Italvega. I have the same chrome bands on the seat tube, the same chrome lugs and so on.

diphthong

you'd have a field day riding the mission beach/pacific beach bike path (ocean side..bay side is still relatively mellow-so far). try tomorrow for extra giggles.

rode mission bay/fiesta island friday and it was fairly subdued but..weekends, you know...

eja_ bottecchia

Here in Ventura County, took advantage of the empty roads and nice weather.