Yesterday, due to the spread of the coronavirus, the federal government issued a Ban on shop opening hours for all shopsthat do not serve the basic needs of the population. As a result, bicycle shops, clothing boutiques and other non-essential businesses have closed their doors. The aim of this measure is to shut down public life as much as possible in order to slow down the spread of the coronavirus. In a TV address yesterday, Chancellor Angela Merkel made it clear that it is now up to each and every one of us to be sensible in order to be strong as a society in the fight against the coronavirus.
Bavarian bike shops are allowed to reopen
Today at noon reports the Süddeutsche Zeitungthat the Bavarian government is relaxing the rules one day after the start of the ban on shops opening. According to the list, which also includes car repair shops, bike shop owners are now allowed to open their shops again. According to the list published by the Süddeutsche Zeitung, bicycle repairs and the bicycle spare parts trade are permitted. In This was already the case in Berlin yesterday. The bike shops are particularly important thanks to their workshop services, as they continue to guarantee people's mobility. How the matter is handled in other federal states, the Colleagues from Velobiz.de researched. In some major German cities, such as Berlin, public transport is being reduced. As a bike shop owner, you are suddenly relevant to the system. Health Minister Jens Spahn has described cycling as a good and, above all, infection-reducing form of transport and has encouraged people to travel daily distances by bike rather than using public transport. Now is certainly not the right time to seek advice on a tuning wheelset for your bike in person, but the most necessary repairs can be carried out. Unnecessary visits to the bike shop, e.g. to enjoy an after-work beer with the bike group or mechanics, are certainly not in the interests of the Bavarian state government.
Is cycling still allowed during the coronavirus crisis?
However, many bikers have a completely different question burning under their fingernails. At a time when the whole country is in a state of emergency, is mountain biking still allowed at all? There is still no curfew in Germany. So you are allowed. Is it still socially OK? Everyone has to answer this question for themselves. According to numerous experts, there is nothing wrong with exercising in the fresh air. On the contrary: it even strengthens your immune system! Nevertheless, in times when the health system is under excessive strain, you shouldn't take any unnecessary risks. Extreme jumps, high-speed battles on steep trails or other risky practices of our beloved bike sport are probably not appropriate at the moment. However, there should be nothing wrong with a solitary lap on cosy gravel paths. Pharmacist and ex-professional Wolfram Kurschat reveals in an interview what you should bear in mind when exercising in the fresh air in times of coronavirus.
All current developments relating to the Mountain biking and corona can be found here in our BIKE ticker.
